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Shannon Weber's avatar

Ah! This so gorgeous (especially in these times). It is so aligned with the public art love note project my kids and I started about 14 years ago.

It was with an abundance of love that we set out to leave love, without permission, in unexpected places for people to find. We called it our "Get Love. Give Love." revolution. The kids are grown now and I carry on posting the notes everywhere I go because its now in my bones, part me. Of course, the love has come back in so many wonderful and surprising ways.

More on the project here (and free downloadable love note flier!) www.LoveYou2.org

TEDx talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c84x6dxSGnI

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Hans Jorgensen's avatar

Beautiful reminder with the lovely Camus citation. Thank you @

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Toni Jones's avatar

I love this. If we want to receive something we must also be/offer that thing.

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Scott aka CoachInnerThought's avatar

Sending u love and appreciation Jonathan. Thank you for your writing.

I notice that when I give love and affection to my dog,I feel it in return. Its so simple. Sometimes he thinks he's a cat, trying to sit on my lap and purring....not easy when he's a dalmatian.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Thanks, Scott! love that you have a dog with a cat complex. lol

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Ivo Aranyani's avatar

Ooph. And yummy. Both right.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad it resonated, Ivo.

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Abigail BT's avatar

This reminds me of one of my all-time favourite quotes that I remind myself time and again...

At the end of my life, when I say one final What have I done?, let my answer be, I have done love.

Jennifer Pastiloff

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Love that quote, too. And love JP, who is a dear friend and someone I wrote about in my last book.

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Phil Powis ❤️⚡️'s avatar

Thanks Jonathan. This was a beautiful reminder as I was pondering how to start my day.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad it was a beautiful reminder, Phil. And so nice to see your name again after many years!

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Karin's avatar

I try to live my life this way…to connect in any small or large way I can…with the person at the grocery story checking my groceries, my co-worker, my child, my dog. We can spread love through every micro interaction we have with those who cross our path.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Great points, Karin. Even the small moments count.

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Cheryl Howell's avatar

Love this! So much joy comes when we notice and acknowledge the things in our environment such as a single flower, a tree, a rock or things we take for granted in a walk. Love abounds when we make a conscious effort to really see life.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Yes, even the natural environment can be a recipient, Cheryl!

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Raveen's avatar

We shouldn't disregard the nourishing, rewarding aspects of giving love to others. We shouldn't just be constantly expecting others to give us love.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Being love is a great invitation, Raveen.

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Mary Paliath's avatar

Thank you for this today Jonathan. Really resonated.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So glad it resonated, Mary.

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Rosie Acosta's avatar

I loved reading this. I was having a conversation about this same topic this week—big Hugs dear friend. xo Rosie

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Big hugs back your way, Rosie!

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Lucina Chavez's avatar

Thank you Jonathan Fields. It's easy to forget how many encounters there are in big cities to generate kindness & love. On the street, in a subway, in a store—smiles and glances of kindness, are not just for friendly small towns. It works in metropolises, too.

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

So agree, Lucina. Big cities can seem so anonymous and impersonal, and yet when we start looking, there are so many opportunities to connect.

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annetlugard's avatar

Beautiful and inspiring. And as the song goes - the love you take is equal the love you make. Hopefully we can get to a point where our need to control the outcome won't prevent us from giving the world the best in us

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Ah, yes, that big control beast, it's alive and well in all of us.

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Benjamin Mahr's avatar

Thank you for the inspiration, Jonathan!

Your article made me think what is more important to me, what is more rewarding and what do I desire more - being loved or loving. And I was surprised to find out it might be the latter… That warm feeling when you hug your kids or even just watch them play.

Self love must then be the ultimate thing, right? Being loved and loving at the same time. But are we really capable to love ourselves as much as another person and then feel both loved and loving simultaneously?

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Interesting realization. And the beautiful thing is, we don't have to choose. It's a "yes, and" thing.

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Katie's avatar

Beautiful post! 👌

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Jonathan Fields's avatar

Appreciate the kind words, Katie.

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