The crisis of love
In his book Unconditional Love, John Powell, S.J. asks, “Is loving really the way to human fulfillment? If I choose love as my personal life principle, will I find satisfaction and true gratification?”
This, he argues, is THE crisis facing contemporary society.
“Is a life of love, which involves a permanent and unconditional commitment to the happiness of another, really the way to personal satisfaction and human fulfillment?” As opposed to remaining unencumbered from all relationships so that one is free to pursue all the pleasure, power, and sensation life has to offer?
Powell obviously believes love is the way to personal satisfaction and fulfilment, and I agree, but if I were to critique Powell’s position it would only be to say that if he’s correct, the real crisis is that this is a crisis at all.
Because the answer is obvious. It stares us in the face every time we attend a funeral. In those moments, no one cares to talk about what you owned, the places you went, or even what you did to earn a living. What they DO care to talk about is the person you were, how well you loved them.
If you’re paying attention, at funerals you realize people are all that really matter in this world. A life well lived is a life well loved.
We know this, and yet we spend so much of our time chasing a dream or chasing a dollar. As far as dollars go, you’ll never have enough. And as far as dreams go, they ought to be as close as the nearest person.
People continue to buy into the lie that wealth, fame, and power are the pathways to full and abundant life. They are not. They may make life easier in some regards, but they do not ultimately satisfy.
The only thing that does satisfy is a fierce commitment to the well-being of others and a willingness to use one’s time, talent, and money to serve them.
Find a way to give your life away to others. It could be your spouse and kids. It could be to people through your employer. It could be to families in your neighborhood. Everyone wants a full and satisfying life. The lie is that you realize that life by turning inward, focusing on your self. The truth is that you find meaning, purpose, and satisfaction by turning out, focusing on the well-being of others.
We are the most informed, connected people who have ever lived on planet earth. Love should not be a crisis facing our society.
This, he argues, is THE crisis facing contemporary society.
“Is a life of love, which involves a permanent and unconditional commitment to the happiness of another, really the way to personal satisfaction and human fulfillment?” As opposed to remaining unencumbered from all relationships so that one is free to pursue all the pleasure, power, and sensation life has to offer?
Powell obviously believes love is the way to personal satisfaction and fulfilment, and I agree, but if I were to critique Powell’s position it would only be to say that if he’s correct, the real crisis is that this is a crisis at all.
Because the answer is obvious. It stares us in the face every time we attend a funeral. In those moments, no one cares to talk about what you owned, the places you went, or even what you did to earn a living. What they DO care to talk about is the person you were, how well you loved them.
If you’re paying attention, at funerals you realize people are all that really matter in this world. A life well lived is a life well loved.
We know this, and yet we spend so much of our time chasing a dream or chasing a dollar. As far as dollars go, you’ll never have enough. And as far as dreams go, they ought to be as close as the nearest person.
People continue to buy into the lie that wealth, fame, and power are the pathways to full and abundant life. They are not. They may make life easier in some regards, but they do not ultimately satisfy.
The only thing that does satisfy is a fierce commitment to the well-being of others and a willingness to use one’s time, talent, and money to serve them.
Find a way to give your life away to others. It could be your spouse and kids. It could be to people through your employer. It could be to families in your neighborhood. Everyone wants a full and satisfying life. The lie is that you realize that life by turning inward, focusing on your self. The truth is that you find meaning, purpose, and satisfaction by turning out, focusing on the well-being of others.
We are the most informed, connected people who have ever lived on planet earth. Love should not be a crisis facing our society.
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