Part of the problem is the eggshells.

We've laid them out around ourselves and become worried about stepping on those that others have laid around themselves.

Some of us (all of us at one time or another) have forgotten our interdependence and obligation to other people. We've put ourselves (our comfort, our hearts, our minds) at the center of our universe (our universe?).

I want to encourage you to Love Your People.

Who are your people? Everyone who's important to you... your family... your friends... your colleagues... your customers, patients, team, students. These are your people (and you're theirs).

And love? It's care.

And care? It's attention and contribution (what you give, what you do). It's kindness, patience, generosity, and truth. It's encouraging, apologetic, forgiving, and thankful.

We've let too much get between us (each other) and the reasons we're here. We've allowed ourselves to slip into a state of busy distraction – seeking the complex instead of embracing the simple. It's time to stop going through the motions with our days (hours, minutes). We need to give more and enjoy more.

"The meaning of love is not to be confused with some sentimental outpouring. Love is something much deeper than emotional bosh."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
American civil rights leader

"How do I love my people?"

You know how.

"But specifically. How?"

Start by doing your work. Contribute. Help someone else by doing what it is you do(on the job or in life). Do it the way you wish everyone else would do it for you (golden rule stuff).

But I don't like my work, situation, company, boss, colleagues.

Be a part of the solution or find someplace/ thing else.

Easy for you to say. I have a family, mortgage, credit cards, responsibilities.

Then be a part of the solution and start making where you are better (by the way... everyone has all those things too).

But I told you... my boss, coworkers, customers, situation...

I'm sorry. You're a grown-up. Be a part of the solution or find someplace/ thing else. Really.

It's not that simple.

Yes... it is.

"Work is love made visible."
- Kahlil Gibran
Lebanese writer and philosopher

Be kind. This means you're considerate (have concern and respect for others). It means you're pleasantly helpful and generous where you can be.

But what if someone/ thing makes it difficult to be kind?

Do your best to act in a way you'd like others to act toward you when you make things difficult.

But, I don't make things difficult.

We all do.

But...

Me too.

Be patient. Approach people and situations calmly. Have a soothing and relaxed presence and give others the time you'd like to be given.

But what if it's really urgent, like an emergency?

Be less patient with emergencies.

What if I think it's more urgent than someone else thinks it is?

Then it'll be more challenging to be patient.

What kind of an answer is that?

Truth.

The remaining 5 points (Be honest, Encourage People, Apologize, Forgive, Thank People) are available in the cool Love Your People booklet. It includes a coaching section of questions to help you better Love Your People (and some notes pages for your thoughts).