Love

“…and the greatest of these is love.”

If you have the 2024 Let’s Spend The Year Together calendar, you may remember that January began with the theme of love. I wanted to set the tone for the year with something that felt foundational, something that speaks to who we are and how we connect.

And now, as we arrive in October 2025, love returns as our guiding theme once more. Why revisit it? Because love is not a one-time reflection. It’s a continual practice. It shapes how we show up, how we see ourselves and how we relate to those around us.

Every act of kindness, every moment of genuine support, every choice rooted in compassion, they all stem from love. It’s the thread that holds so much of life together.

In just seven words, “…and the greatest of these is love,” a profound truth is revealed. These words are some of my favorite, and I believe they hold the essence of what it means to live a meaningful life.

When we internalize, embody, and lead with genuine love for ourselves, for others, for humanity, we open the door to healing and connection, personally and collectively. No, the path isn’t always easy. But putting love at the center of our thinking, our choices and our interactions can shift everything.

Why Love First?

Starting with love invites us to see others, and ourselves, with new eyes. It encourages us to pause, to question our assumptions and to soften the internal narratives that may be fueling disconnection or judgment.

Leading with love doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations or pretending everything is okay. It means choosing to show up with empathy, clarity and care, even when it's difficult.

When love is our foundation, we make space for something deeper: healing, understanding, connection and the possibility of true change.

What Might It Look Like to Lead with Love?

Love is easy to express when everything’s going smoothly, when we agree with others, feel safe or share similar views. But the real power of love shows up when things are hard. When there's tension, hurt or misunderstanding.

Here are some reflective questions to help guide us in those moments not just to cope, but to transform:

• What does acting from a place of love mean to me in this moment?

• How does love change the way I listen to myself, to others, to what’s needed?

• What would love ask of me in this conflict not just for the other person, but for myself too?

• How can I express my truth clearly and kindly, without withdrawing love?

• Is there a hurt or misunderstanding beneath this tension that love can help uncover and heal?

• If I were leading from love, how might I approach this decision differently?

• What would it look like to choose courage over comfort in service of love?

• How might my relationships evolve if love guided more of my choices?

• What kind of culture at home, at work, in community do I create when I lead with love?

• What would be possible if love was my default lens, even when I’m afraid or unsure?

These aren’t just questions, they're invitations. To pause. To recalibrate. To lead with the kind of love that doesn't just feel good, but transforms.

Because in the end, when love leads, everything else follows.

One simple practice I find helpful when I want to hold onto something meaningful is to save it in the Notes on my phone. That way, it's always easy to revisit when I need a reminder.

I encourage you to do the same with these love-centered questions. Save them somewhere accessible; on your phone, in a journal, or on a sticky note. Let them be a guide whenever you're navigating a challenge or simply want to bring more intention and care into a moment.

And I’d truly love to hear from you:

·      What question resonated most with you?

·      What helped shift a situation toward greater love or understanding?

·      How might you inspire others to lead from love in their own lives?

Your experiences have power and by sharing them, you help create a ripple effect of compassion and connection.

Let’s keep growing this conversation, together.