Today I wore a red sweater with the word LOVE written boldly across the front. I didn’t expect anything special from it, but everywhere I went, people stopped to compliment it. Some were strangers I had never met, yet they smiled, pointed to the sweater, and told me I was glowing. I don’t think it was the sweater itself—I think it was the word love. It’s amazing how a simple word can touch people so deeply. Whether someone has felt love, is seeking it, or is still learning how to receive it, love is a universal language that everyone understands.
Loving someone can look different for each of us. For some, it’s a warm hug; for others, it’s listening without judgment or showing up when it matters. I feel truly blessed by the love I receive from my family, my neighbors, my friends and even the people I meet for just a moment. I genuinely believe that the right people show up in our lives exactly when they’re supposed to.
But here’s something I’ve learned: If you’re not feeling the love, sometimes the answer is to give more of it. When we express love—through kindness, encouragement or simple human connection—we naturally invite more of it back into our lives. When people feel loved, they tend to stand a little taller, smile a little wider and treat themselves and others with more care. And the beautiful thing is, when they feel good, you feel good too.
Love is infectious in the best possible way, just like compassion and empathy. When we take the time to understand what someone else is going through, we help create a softer, kinder world.
In a time when life can feel complicated and rushed, it’s clear to me that what the world needs—perhaps now more than ever—is love.
Warmly,
Kim Pagano
Your Community Connector