The stars up in the bright sky
When it's nighttime.
The people eating inside.
The animals eating outside.
Amen.
When it's nighttime.
The people eating inside.
The animals eating outside.
Amen.
~ The prayer of a 3-year-old
While all major religions rightly expect people to help others in need, paradoxically the real refreshing, and mysterious challenge of spiritual life is not primarily to give love, but to receive it. For when our hearts are alive with love, we can, and do, spontaneously share with a sense of mitzvah (giving and expecting nothing in return)... With a healthy sense of self-love, the call from God to love others as we love ourselves is transformed from an exterior command into a powerful interior attitude of hope that can lead to true compassion, sound friendship, and effective social action.