Love
It’s the answer.
Lately, good friends and I have been under emotional duress, focusing on maintaining our own sanity in a world run amok and trying not to focus on all the horrible goings-on around the globe. There is so much hatred on our fragile planet.
And there are so many people suffering from mental illness, those who society simply allows to slip through the cracks.
You would think that in 2024, much progress would be made toward eradicating the stigma of mental health. Instead, worldwide, the focus is on eradicating each other.
Yet, salvation lies not only in having physical health, but having sound mental health, as well. And the answer is so simple.
Love.
I’m not saying we should all join hands and sing kumbaya, but I think kindness and love toward each other go a long way. Although wars and hatred are inevitable, I wish that people could be more humane toward and love each other enough to celebrate diversity. And love for the mentally downtrodden can help erase the mental health stigma.
I have problems in this arena and am lucky that I have people in my life who love me. I’m grateful to have a sound self-care toolbox in place, which includes medications, psychotherapy, exercising, reading, writing – and, of course, art.
Below is a revision of my boats in Portugal draft, a piece I frankly was not initially in the headspace to work on – considering all the disarray going on in the U.S. and abroad, and considering I’m personally struggling emotionally. With some effort, I reworked it, brightening the colors of the boats and adding more building structures in the background. I decided on a different color for the water, a color that lifted my spirits somewhat. I also created indications of waves and deepened the boats’ shadows. The hardest part is coming – painting the lines and poles of the boats. I need a steady hand to form straight lines with paint.
Below the landscape painting are the lyrics to an older, special song, which captures exactly how I feel. The song, titled “Love is the Answer,” sung by England Dan and John Ford Coley is a keeper and always makes it to my heart. At the very end of this post, I’ve also included a link to the song on YouTube. It is really magnificent and deserves a listen.
Love is the Answer, sung by England Dan and John Ford Coley
Name your price
A ticket to paradise
I can't stay here any more
And I've looked high and low
I've been from shore to shore to shore
If there's a short cut I'd have found it
But there is no easy way around it
Light of the world, shine on me
Love is the answer
Shine on us all
Set us free
Love is the answer
Who knows why
Someday we all must die
We're all homeless boys and girls
And we are never heard
It's such a lonely world
People turn their heads
And walk on by
Tell me is it worth just another try
Are we alive
Or just a dying planet
What are the chances
Ask the man in your heart for the answers
And when you feel afraid
Love one another
When you've lost your way
Love one another
And when you're all alone
Love one another
And when you're far from home
Love one another
And when you're down and out
Love one another
And when your hopes run out
Love one another
And when you need a friend
Love one another
We got to love one another
YouTube link
“Light of the world, shine on me, love is the answer..” I grew up in the seventies when that song was played around the clock on every adult contemporary radio station. Listening again today, I am struck by the warm harmonies and sweet chords that compel us to open up and simply accept the grace of love. There is a lot to be said for focusing on one’s own need for “the answer” within, sometimes love is walking away from a tempest situation and offering oneself peace and solace and privacy. Sometimes it’s connecting with those people and things that allow us to flow into a sense of balance and essential purpose. Listening to a forgotten love song like this one was really a joy for me and reminded me that self care requires a vigilant attentiveness to myself, so I can show up “in love” for others only after I have honored my own needs. Keep making self care a priority Beth, love truly is the answer.