I am not aware of any year every being declared as a Year of Intentional Love. Love is the greatest thing in life and so important, and therefore, I submit it through my blogs today, therefore publishing it, in the hopes that it will catch on by others far and near. My prayer is that it will be the first of many years of Intentional Love.
What do we mean by intentional love? The first word, “intentional,” plainly means that: conscious thought with effort and planned. Now what kind of love are we talking about? We are not talking about the supposed love of sexual engagement which does not require love at all, alhough it is an expression of real love for two adults who love each other. But I submit that our base nature with its physical cravings is not the source of love.
Instead, we are talking about a love the arises in the heart, mind, and soul of persons towards other people and God that is not selfish or self-centered, but innately good, kind, caring. It is relational, but you might say its on a spiritual level, at least not physical. This love grows into a pure love which may blosssom into unconditional love in some relationships.
A part of this kind of love is the reciprical principle that we have love for others even as we want to be loved. This is based in part on the Golden Rule which most people are familiar with (and indeed all should be taught it) and in part on a passage in the Jewish Torah/Pentateuch which reads “…you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18 which Jesus the Christ re-teaches it by quoting it (Mark 12:31).
I submit that this love all humans need. This mutual love and respect is profoundly powerful in creating healthy societies. In contrast, our base nature is plain selfish. A beautiful thing about this love is that you cannot empty your supply by giving it away. Instead, love magnifies. And the amazing thing, we don’t have to lessen our love of self, unless we are conceited or overly egotistical. This love likes to have a support base from which to launch to others. Let’s use the analogy of a driving board. Without the board, a driver will not be able to jump that high or out away from the edge. But with the springing board, he/she can jump higher and further out. So also, you don’t have to lessen the love of self, but indeed, the love of self, supports your loving others like a springing board to launch out. This seems to contradict the concept of this love being selfless, but it doesn’t. Try to experience it yourselves. These words are simply trying to communicate what we humans are capable of and do experience.
This recipricating and purer and higher love sows goodness in humanity. It has been inspired by religious writers becoming sacred texts and religious ideals, but the ancient Chinese secular philosopher Confucius would agree it is very healthy for human societies. Confucius’ teachings of jen and li are his counterparts. This love lifts humans to a higher living, appealing to a higher nature as God has intended for us. This means a love that thinks about and cares about others. People without any recognized religion have this too. Built in human nature is the loving care a mother has for its child. But true religion inspires, encourages, and lifts humans to an even more loving life.
Therefore, let us be intentional this year in loving ourselves, loving our family and friends, and loving our neighbors, and respecting all who are in authority: police, city, county, state, and federal officials and representatives, lawmakers, presidents. Let us diligently nurture our children in love to help empower them to be loving people as they grow into adults. Let us set an example to our children by our own behavior. This is a great and privileged responsibility.
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