Talking or Doing

I have spoken to hundreds of organizations. Almost uniformly, the leader and many members of the organization have said something like, "Wow, this is some powerful message. We need to do this." But then nothing happens. In order to effect real change, we must overcome enormous inertia, both in our own lives and often in the organizations and people around us. This pull–almost like gravity–back toward what we're familiar with is very strong, usually overwhelming, which is why so few people make meaningful, lasting changes.

The other day, however, I received a note from a minister of a congregation in California.

"The board approved a motion," she said, "for our church to include Real Love principles as an integral part of the ministry and also to expand and grow as a Real Love center. The members we already have will benefit, and as we become more loving, we will draw other people to us. The following Sunday during my sermon I said that beginning next week we'd try a four-week experiment where we had the usual service–but shortened–followed by a Real Love group. People were so excited about this that they didn't hear the part about 'next week,' and most of them stayed after church this week for the Real Love group."

It's not enough simply to talk about love as a concept. If you want Real Love to grow in your own life, the best way is to actually live it and share it with others. I'm inspired by this minister who had the courage to step outside past patterns and take a chance on making a real difference for herself and others.