**Please go to the bottom of this post and play the video and listen to it as you read my “why”.**
“What is your ‘Why?’”
It’s not a simple question to be asked.
”Why?” do you live as you do?, “Why?” are you who you are? “Why?”
I realize that I picked an enormously shcmaltzy song to go along with my words, but at the end of the day, this is how I live my life.
Love at the Center of it.
Kindness, Care and Comfort coming in after, it is always Love that sits at my table and encourages me to think better, hug tighter, listen closer and believe deeper. When I was growing up and listening to this song on AM radio in the backseat of the car, sans a seatbelt and with the windows down blowing my blonde hair into my eyes, beyond the catchy melody were the lyrics that spoke to me, even at a young age. Not about romantic love, of which I knew practically nothing about back then, but rather the universal feeling of taking care of one another even in the face of things like racsism, poverty and hate.
My big heart has always been this big, has always been this inclusive and will likely never change. I feel no shame in telling l you that I think of the lyrics to this song daily and strive to live them when I am consumed with envy or selfishness. I believe in the schmaltz, beyond the catchy tune. I know that it makes me a cockeyed optimist and a probably a fool to some, but if I can’t believe in the healing power of a word, a thought or feeling then my life here on this planet is not well served. I admit that I am not good at a lot of things, but my capacity to love, forgive and care for other human beings seems to be something that I don’t have to work at. A smile costs nothing to offer, a hug or word of encouragement is readily available from me and my ability to be empathetic and put myself in your shoes is a quality I’m proud to have, even if my heart hurts by doing it.
I am not running the world, setting it on fire with my passions or ideas, but I am cradling it in my big mushy heart, hopeful for a time when there is acceptance among all of us. There is room for everyone here inside it, even with all of our moral and idealogical differences.
I want my WHY to be a “Why NOT just LOVE?”
My daily prayer is just always that I find it in my heart to care and then I go from there.
How about you? What’s your WHY?
And when you feel afraid, When you’ve lost your way, And when you’re all alone, And when you’re far from home
And when you’re down and out, And when your hopes run out, And when you need a friend, And when you’re near the end
LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
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beautiful and honest and deep….
Thank you…and I’m so sorry for subjecting you (of all people ) to that song. I hope we’re still friends..LOL.
Thanks for reading it, that means a lot to me.
I did not click on the video since I’m oddly terrified of the crispy crisp collars and vest and suit coat combo…paired with mustaches. I love mustaches. But those? Makes me feel a little violated inside.
Anythishasnothingtodowithyourpost…this is beautiful. Love…love in my house helps me survive every single day. I’m glad that you have this too. xoxo
I understand, they are kind of scary looking. but the song is one of my favorites, it reminds me of childhood.
Love is the answer, you’re right my friend, every single day your love and friendship help and support me, keep me smiling, I truly hope I do the same for you.
xoxo
This is a reason why I love you so much. Your big heart, your kindness, your caring attitude. It means a lot to me. xoxo
Oh there are SOOOOOOOOO many reasons I adore you my friend. I love you, BIG.
I love how honest and confident you are in your ability to love and nurture. Many people – myself included – doubt that ability in themselves and/or downplay it in an effort to not seem so vulnerable. You? Just own it.
I was a terribly negative person when I was younger. I see that now and it makes me ashamed. The older I get, the more positive I find myself wanting to be. It just feels better and makes me a happier person. But I still struggle with my old negative demons and probably always will. So, I have a hard time owning my ability to love and nurture like you do. Even in my role as a mom – the most selfless and loving role a woman can take on.
P.S. That song is just plain lite station-fabulous. Yes, I admit it – I’m a sucker for the lite stations. Especially late at night when they play the really old and obscure stuff. They just don’t make music like that anymore!
that song is on Repeat sometimes in my kitchen, to let the message sink into to 4 yr old minds too….I’m not much of a singer (NO!!!!) but I do love singing this song. You’re right, those 70′s lite songs, BEST SONGS EVAH.
I am optimistic but I have those selfish moments, lots of them. Maybe I should share more of them since I don’t want people to think I’m a saint. I’m not…I’m a sinner through and through, the difference I think, is that I forgive, forget and love through it. I also expect that. Which is rather selfish don’t you think??
I am not negative and always want the happier, sunnier ending. When I want something I go get it or try my best to go get it and I’ve been known to make someone else sad doing that (I’m sure I have) but at the end of the day, I do LOVE BIG. If you have a place in my heart, you stay, I linger. Your friendship is on my heart.
as for being a mom, I struggle EVERY SINGLE DAY with wanting what’s best for them and what’s best for me. I want to have freedom and ties, just like everyone. I want to run away to NYC and change my name sometimes..I really do. I just don’t say it often, but I do feel it. I’m just like you, I promise.
xoxoxo
You LOVE so much and so well. I knew your answer before I clicked on your post
It’s a way we are both so alike, in our tidal wave, insistent loving of others. And Im so grateful for yours.
I like that we have that in common, I love finding another squishy heart to beat with mine. I’m grateful we’re friends too.
Love is what keeps me from falling apart over here. With so many fears and worries, they can all be pushed aside and make room for the love that helps us function. I always lived by the smile rule and I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that I didn’t hug goodbye (unless they gave off a vibe that said not to). I’m a huge hugger. I think I am going to start living with an “I love big” attitude. I like it.
I agree and honestly that is how I live too. I do worry, I do stress, I do have less than perfect moments, what keeps me sane is the LOVE in my heart for everyone in my life.
I am also a HUGGER and I promise if we meet, you will never ever get a “no hug” vibe from me. We can hug and hang on as long as we need to to feel the BIG LOVE.
thanks for coming over to read this, it means a lot to me.
You know, it’s funny — a smile goes such a long way, be it with a friend, or a colleague, or a complete stranger, yet people seem loath to part with them.
Me? I’m always smiling . . . some thing I might be up to no good, and that may, very well, be the case, but I’m smiling none the less.
The world needs more love — I’m glad you’re on the path to righting the deficiency
best COMMMENT EVAH!!! thank you John, for making my day.
I love that you use your smiles like I do (even for NO GOOD sometimes) but the smiles are worth it.
this comment literally just made me happy…thank you.
I couldn’t agree more! If more people could love one another, there would be less selfishness and more selflessness. There would be less separation and more acceptance. Maybe there would even be less fear and more encouragement. LOVE your post.
I totally anc completely big puffy heart love, your big heart! It is an absolutely joy to know that you are on this earth making it better just for being here!
Oh how I love seeing you here, back in blogland!!! Your words made my day, I feel exactly the same way about you. I know that your friendship makes my days better. Always.
Of course love is your answer! You have a heart as big as the ocean, my friend!
sweetest comment, from the sweetest most wonderful friend in my life. xo
I’m new here, popping over from Just Be Enough, but I wanted to just say that having such a big heart, having the capacity to love that much, is a gift! A big, special gift that not everyone gets. It’s so rare, or maybe not so rare but more often hidden. Good for you for knowing what you can do and doing it well.
And how do you know that your gift of love isn’t already setting your world on fire?