In a time when we often find ourselves divided instead of united,

Be reminded, there is only one force that overcomes fear and hate,

LOVE makes US great!

Welcome to the fifth month of LOVE makes US great! We have a bonus 5th week in May! Let’s start loving.

A couple of weeks ago, I was blessed to be able to hear Radhanath Swami speak in person in San Francisco. He is a renowned and humble spiritual leader and is the teacher one of my yoga teachers. 

Radhanath Swami told the story of a child taking a piece of food out of their own mouth to give to him (an amusing adult hazard to accept such a gift). Children express their love and compassion without boundaries. Sadly, at some point in life, most of us lose touch with that ability to give freely from the heart. We begin to hoard our love or only share it conditionally. He reminded us to reconnect to love for God and to have compassion for all beings.

What happens to disconnect from that wisdom of childhood?

I was an economics major. The behavioral implications of the belief of scarcity have been a truism I’ve witnessed time and time again – think back to the toilet paper hoarding at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Or, staying with the TP theme, Seinfeld fans, do you have a “square to spare”? 

Scarcity is never happy because there is never enough. Scarcity believes that more for you means less for me. Scarcity doesn’t want to share. Scarcity fuels hate. Hate can never make us great.

Abundance is joyful because there is always plenty. Abundance believes that more for you means more for me as well. Abundance knows that when we work together, we can create enough for all to thrive. Abundance is possible with love, compassion, and sharing. 

LOVE makes US great because love multiplies when you give it away. Love is perhaps the only example of an inexhaustible resource. Love is abundant.

Sometimes life is a sitcom. Recently, the person in the stall next to me needed a square. We must have been of the same era, and we laughed as we replayed that scene. This time, thankfully, there were plenty of squares to share. 

May love and TP always be abundant. Please share how you create abundance and share love in your life. 

Love requires participation. Love requires sharing. Love requires action. Love requires commitment. 

For folks who share your experience, I'll send you a LOVEMUG sticker and magnet.

With gratitude,

Joyce Aiko

(yes, love really is my middle name)