What if I could give you a simple, completely free technique that is easy to apply and which might change your life for the better? Would you be willing to invest a few minutes to see if I can deliver on this promise?
First, though, let me give you a little of the background to this idea so that I can credit two sources that I have drawn from to create what I am presenting here. The first source was a very popular fad from several years ago that seems to have nearly died out. Remember the people who wore bracelets with the bold letters: WWJD? The letters stood, of course, for: ”What would Jesus do?” I think this is a powerful idea that connects us with the spirit of the New Testament Gospels, but as fads usually do, it seems to have faded.
The second source for my idea came from a series of inspirational letters by Gloria Wendroff, a lovely lady from Fairfield, Iowa, who has been publishing them on a free forum for many years. The particular letter that contributed to my idea was Cast Your Love before Thousands, published on her forums on June 8, 2011.
I took the main theme from Cast Your Love before Thousands, combined it with the sentiment behind WWJD and came up with new phrase: “What would love do now?” As a kind of experiment, I then resolved to repeat this phrase to myself as many times as I could remember it during the next day. I was amazed at the results! Every time I said this phrase to myself, no matter what was going on in the moment, new ways of seeing the events of my day and new ways of approaching the challenges I happened to be facing suddenly occurred to me. Along with that, whatever I was feeling at the time turned up a notch, becoming more positive and causing me to feel more confident in myself.
I am suggesting that you give this a try and see if your experience is similar to mine. What have you got to lose but a few seconds out of each hour over the next 24 hours? If you do this, I would really appreciate it if you would post a note below, even if your experience was not as positive as mine. I have extended this experiment and continue to repeat to myself: “What would love do now?” The benefits for me continue and seem to be building on the earlier efforts and becoming even more rewarding.
If you decide to try this, you may want to consider a couple more points first. Some may get hung-up on the over-used word “love.” I cannot give a satisfactory definition to what I mean, but I can point to a few clear examples. A mother nursing her baby. A cat carrying her newborn kitten by the scruff of its neck to a safer location. A gardener pruning, weeding and watering her roses. An uncle consoling a young boy who just lost his father in an auto accident. Love isn’t easily definable but it is understandable.
The other thing to consider is your commitment to act on the ideas that arise in response to this phrase. I suggest that you make no commitment to do anything different. You will naturally do what you feel like doing – that is all that is necessary. Your only commitment will be to repeat a phrase to yourself as often as you remember to do so: “What would love do now?”
If you do this and it is a really positive experience for you, besides letting me know, below, how about sending a link to others you feel might enjoy it?
Thanks,
Love and best wishes to all,
Chuck
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Science and Spirit 
Dear Chuck,
Let me be the first to comment and congratulate you in here.
THIS IS WONDERFUL and will be brilliant later.
When I pondered on the idea I found it an interesting one… it really changes the way one looks at the situations. When I tried it… it gave me a moment of pause and then a tenderer look… a feeling that says yes, you can be even kinder, even more compassionate.
Thank you so much. I always enjoy what you write and how you write.
I wish this blog bloom to its fullest and become the source of joy, fun and inspirations for you and your readers.
See you again,
Oldooz
Oldooz, dear,
I realized when I first tried repeating this phrase to myself that I habitually come from a place of self protection and self interest. This would be a place of worry and uncertainty. It is so much more pleasant to just intend the best and leave worry completely out of the picture.
I also was surprised by how much fun it is starting a blog. I feel like I have a lot to say and look forward to sharing with all the wonderful people I know will be leaving messages. Thank you so much for kicking off this comment section. I look forward to some day seeing you in Iran or meeting you when you come to the states, should the situation arise.
Love……..Chuck
It’s definitely fun and… a place to learn and grow, I think.
I even dared to ask myself “what would God do now?”… I helps bring the best part to the surface, at least temporary.
I look forward to having enjoyable conversations with you and your friends.
Oldooz
This is a wonderful recomendation. I look forward to doing it. Thanks for suggesting your blog page to me my doctor’s visity. Ceegie Haugabook
C.G., I am really looking forward to how this idea works out for you. You are such a creative and inspiring person that whatever you share with us will be most interesting, I am sure. I have a lot of plans floating around in my mind about topics that I hope readers will find useful. Peace and blessings to you, my friend…….Chuck
After sending my first reply to your suggestion to ask What would love do, I thought about it and came to the conclusion that in a way I have been doing this for sometime. Yesterday, while in Albany I was in the Chick-fil-A waiting for Allene, three girls were siting in front of me laughing and really enjoying themselves. As I listened I began to enjoy their enjoyment. I got up, went over to their table, smiled at them and said “It is fun to listen to the three of you have so much fun.” To me this is one way of expressing love to the people around you. This to me was giving encouragement to three teen-agers. Is this not a way doing what love would do? Ceegie Haugabook.
C.G., Your experience reminds me of what a good friend of mine did when we went to dinner at a local restaurant when I visited him. My friend, George, started asking the young lady, who was our waitress, about her education and future career plans. At first this struck me as odd, then she began to open up and just beamed with delight at his interest in her life. Showing interest in strangers is love in action.
Chuck
Ceegie
I like this
“It is fun to listen to the three of you have so much fun.” To me this is one way of expressing love to the people around you.
I have always been very shy myself but I can see that those youngsters would have enjoyed your comment. You were showing love to them. Good for you.
Mary
Dear Chuck
I do not remember those bracelets. Perhaps it was not so popular in South Africa. I think your idea is good and I will give it a try. I am enjoying your blog very much.
Mary
Mary, dear,
I found that It is easy to try this for a while, to get a lot of benefit, and then forget the idea. This was my experience after trying this practice. The bracelets may have been a fad confined mainly to the US, I don’t know. The bracelet idea, though. has the benefit of creating a constant reminder. I may try writing this phrase on an index card and putting it somewhere where I will see it ever day.
If you do try this, I would love to hear what you find from your effort. I am always wondering if the ideas I have like this are just specific to me or generally useful to others. This kind of feedback is one of the truly powerful benefits of blogs in general. Thanks for all your kind responses and comments 🙂
Love,
Chuck
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