What matters is authentically and compassionately loving people. Remembering this is one of
the biggest struggles we as humans face worldwide. We live in a society that urges us to reach
for position and wealth instead of serving the community and building relationships with
people. This message of “more” pushed onto us by commercials, television, and media has
imprinted on our souls.
People in the world are struggling to love others compassionately and truthfully because they
value independence over interdependence. Independence is about self-reliance, seeking to
elevate one’s life and individualism. Interdependence is centered around collectivism, building
community, and reciprocal servitude in relationships. Having an others-oriented mindset and
valuing interdependence is powerful. It is also uncomfortable. Serving and loving people while
contributing to a collective effort requires us to deny ourselves and abandon selfishness.
Independence, therefore, becomes the more comfortable mentality and life path to embrace.
Although we will never be independent because we live from the work of others, it is easier to
believe that it is every man for himself in this world. Some people would rather be comfortable
“independently” than love others and show care for their well-being.
Laziness is a disease that infects our ability to care for others. Love and service are active, but
slothfulness is passive. To intentionally care for one’s community means you have to actively
get to know the people and be consistent in learning about them. Make the effort to know the
waitress at the restaurant, the clerk at the store, or the family in their homes. It is more
convenient to spend time glued to our devices, addicted to our work, and consumed with our
own life. This laziness, self-obsession, and disregard for others is a disservice to humanity and a
detriment to our souls.
The forces of individualism, greed, and laziness hinder our society from authentically and
compassionately loving others. There is a solution. It starts with a change in conduct and
behavior. To love more, we must serve more. We can serve by constructing community-
building relationships among family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. In this collective
community, learn about people’s lives, cultural backgrounds, and struggles. As you continue to
listen and learn about their needs, find ways you can serve and help them. Then do it!
Participate in community or church activities, provide a voice of hope to your peers, and
continue to learn about the people around you. Expressing gratitude is also imperative to loving
and having an others-oriented mindset. When you eat, play games, work, acknowledge verbally
the people locally and globally who worked to make what you have possible. This practice
causes you to be aware of the interconnectedness of people and understand how important it
is to be of use and do things for the other selves.