Loving others may seem like an obvious way of building a culture of compassion and care. Yet in the challenging times that we have faced these past few years, it has often been the most obvious things that have proven the most difficult. Have you struggled to regain meaningful connections with others since the pandemic? Have you chosen to settle with living more on your own, independently of others?

As you reflect on your experience here, recall that in the Hebrew Scriptures the foundation of community for God’s people was summed up in the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18). Perhaps we need to be reminded of how our love for others contributes not just to their well-being, but our own as well. Explore the following resources to discover more about the way our shared experience of compassion and care depends on showing love for others.

·       Emotional health and well-being is so important when connecting with others.  This short article, Love Connects Us: Emotional Health and Our Relationships explores the benefits of having healthy, meaningful relationships with others rooted in love.

·       What Exactly is the Power of Love When It Comes to Health Care and Healing?, read to find out.

·       This short video, Love Knows, helps us to understand how loving others can affect the world in various ways.

·       Loving relationships with others are so important to our health.  This article, Seven Reasons Why Loving Relationship are Good for You, talks about how loving others can help you to live a longer and healthier life.

·       Dr. Baran Kilical talks about the importance of being in love, but he also has some great suggestions for those without a significant other, in Love, Relationships and Health: The Surprising Benefits of Being in Love.

·       What does it mean to “Be Love” in our community.  This short blog from Adventist Health on What It Means to Be Love in Your Community helps to guide us to reach out and spread love, all the while gaining so much ourselves.