My brother-in-law Frank is affectionately known as "the Hugger" by many of the people he encounters. He is a typical Southern-raised guy, friendly to a fault. He knows no strangers, and he would literally give the shirt off his back if someone really needed it. He is not a rich man, but he has given away at least two cars he owned to people who needed the transportation. Best of all, he is a great respecter of persons. He sees the worth of each soul and treats each one as if they are the most valuable being on the planet. Some of the most profound lessons I've learned came from watching Frank's example.
I remember being in California for the funeral of his beautiful little daughter, Brianna, who had died from the chemotherapy she had received for her leukemia. Even though we were there to support Frank and my sister Jan, he felt the need to entertain us while we were there. He took us to one of the local beaches, where I had an experience that changed my life.
Frank took us to a part of Newport Beach where the sandy beach is overlooked by rocky cliffs. Stairs had been built along the side of the cliff so people could access the beach below. I found myself on the stairs directly behind Frank. As we made our way down, I noticed crevices in the rocks that could be accessed from the stairs. Homeless people were camped out in some of the larger ones.
Partway down, one of the homeless men approached the stairs in an effort to use them. He waited patiently for us to descend so he could continue on his way. He had a dead sort of look in his eyes--no joy, no hope, nothing to live for. It was obvious to me he was used to being ignored, invisible to those in the "normal" world around him. What he didn't count on was Frank.
Frank, being Frank, did the only thing he knew how to do. He gave his usual Southern greeting of, "Hey!" That's all. Nothing flashy. Just a brief acknowledgement of one human to another.
But in that instant, the homeless man changed! He was no longer insignificant! He was no longer unworthy! He had once again been acknowledged by someone who lived in the "normal" world, and that acknowledgement made him come alive with hope!!! The transformation in this simple man was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever witnessed.
Simply put, Frank IS love. His thoughts, his actions, his life all carry the message that love is important and that all beings are deserving of love. That is just who he is, and it has the power to change all those he comes into contact with for the better.
Love acknowledges. Love heals. Love hopes. Love transforms. Love gives us the power to change our world for the better. That's what BEing love can do!!!
~CSE
I remember being in California for the funeral of his beautiful little daughter, Brianna, who had died from the chemotherapy she had received for her leukemia. Even though we were there to support Frank and my sister Jan, he felt the need to entertain us while we were there. He took us to one of the local beaches, where I had an experience that changed my life.
Frank took us to a part of Newport Beach where the sandy beach is overlooked by rocky cliffs. Stairs had been built along the side of the cliff so people could access the beach below. I found myself on the stairs directly behind Frank. As we made our way down, I noticed crevices in the rocks that could be accessed from the stairs. Homeless people were camped out in some of the larger ones.
Partway down, one of the homeless men approached the stairs in an effort to use them. He waited patiently for us to descend so he could continue on his way. He had a dead sort of look in his eyes--no joy, no hope, nothing to live for. It was obvious to me he was used to being ignored, invisible to those in the "normal" world around him. What he didn't count on was Frank.
Frank, being Frank, did the only thing he knew how to do. He gave his usual Southern greeting of, "Hey!" That's all. Nothing flashy. Just a brief acknowledgement of one human to another.
But in that instant, the homeless man changed! He was no longer insignificant! He was no longer unworthy! He had once again been acknowledged by someone who lived in the "normal" world, and that acknowledgement made him come alive with hope!!! The transformation in this simple man was one of the most awe inspiring things I have ever witnessed.
Simply put, Frank IS love. His thoughts, his actions, his life all carry the message that love is important and that all beings are deserving of love. That is just who he is, and it has the power to change all those he comes into contact with for the better.
Love acknowledges. Love heals. Love hopes. Love transforms. Love gives us the power to change our world for the better. That's what BEing love can do!!!
~CSE
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