Hunger for Love

There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.
-Mother Teresa

I found this quote to be very interesting and very sad. It made me think of this movie I recently saw called A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. This movie had a profound affect on me and my attitude toward my work. I work with kids of all ages and sometimes dealing with some of the behaviors can get very frustrating and very hard. There have been times where I feel like there is nothing left I can do to motivate or inspire them to be more than what is expected of them. Fortunately, I’m not one that gives up very easily, so I keep my head up and try the next thing, in hopes that this time I will get a break through. What this movie helped me realize was that I have no idea what kinds of issues these kids are dealing with at home or elsewhere. One of the kids in this movie really acted out and had some serious anger problems. To most people he would be considered a bad seed. Some would believe that no one or anything could help him, and he is basically a lost cause. Most would probably give up on him but what they didn’t know was that this kid was getting abused at home. He was being told every day that he is nothing and will never amount to anything. He was never told “I love you.” This put a lot of things into perspective. For some, I might be the only encouragement that they may ever get. I might be the only person who gives them a hug and show that I care. I might be the only person that supports their dreams and aspirations. Sometimes all people want is to have someone to just listen to them without judging.

It’s not only kids that are being affected by this hunger. People of all ages, all over the world are craving this need to be loved and appreciated. What happened to the love? Is it the lack of face to face communication? There is not much human contact anymore. We need to change that. We need it more than we think we do. I know I’m guilty of this facebook, text and email too, so I’m going to follow the advice of one of my favorite quotes: “Be the change you want to see the in the world.” I’m going to try my hardest to quit texting so much and actually call a friend and ask them how their day was. Instead of constantly being on my phone, I may leave it at home and take a walk, maybe strike up a conversation with a stranger. They may be a having a bad day and need to hear a friendly voice. You just never know what anybody is going through and just a smile or a simple hello could be just what they need to brighten up there day. Love is still out there people, we just have to open ourselves up to give and receive it. We have to come together as a whole and make it happen. So let’s do it people, let’s make it happen together.

Let’s bring the love back.