Thoughts on a Late Sunday Morning - Love

Thoughts on a Late Sunday Morning

As I sit in our porch reading about Jeff Bezos’ “friends” flying in their private jets to his wedding in Venice, I can’t help but wonder if his life really is as “good as it can get” as our media often suggests?

In what feels like a completely different universe, I’ve been blessed to have some very different experiences this past week. Three times at three different events (none of them involving private jets), I was pulled aside by a friend or acquaintance who told me something I did for them in the past that had a lasting and meaningful impact on their life. Each one felt compelled to share their gratefulness with me. Which I am truly thankful for.

To me, these interactions are demonstrations of love. Not love the way most of our culture thinks about it. But in the way M. Scott Peck defines it and the way I try to practise it - “the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one’s own or another’s spiritual growth.” I helped them grow in some way and, in turn, they’ve helped me grow by sharing their stories.

Which brings me back to Jeff Bezos and his “friends.” I use the quotation marks purposely here, because I can’t help but wonder if these people really are his friends? Would any of them show up if he didn’t have his money? Do any of his relationships hinge on anything other than business? Will he ever know what it feels like to do something just because it’s the right or a good thing to do? Will he ever know love? Sadly, I’m not sure it’s even possible for there to be other motives once you enter his strata of wealth.

Which makes me even more thankful because I had the privilege of experiencing something that money can not buy. And, for me, that’s a much better definition of success.

Thank you, friends. And, thank you, Universe!

“Love over money, you are my brothers and we’ve been through so much
Yeah, love, what little we shared
Love, broken and repaired
Love, deeply misunderstood
Love, that’s how we got good”

- Gord Downie