What if our society was rooted in love?

Imagine a great tree—its roots deep in the soil of compassion, its trunk grounded in equity, and its branches reaching out in kindness, respect, and understanding. Each branch represents a quality of love. Each leaf, a life touched by that love.

This tree is not just a symbol. It is a vision. A reminder that all of us are connected—part of the same living system. What affects one part of the tree eventually affects the whole.

But somewhere along the way, many of us forgot the root. We began listening to voices that speak not of love, but of fear, domination, cruelty, and separation. And when we follow those voices, we begin to believe that love is weak…That empathy is a threat…That power means controlling others rather than uplifting them.

Leaders have a great responsibility to the rest of the tree. To be an effective leader is to serve the whole—not just oneself. Because all of us, even the leader, are just twigs on the branches of a much larger tree.

Ask Yourself:

— What is Love? — How does Love behave? * Hint: I placed some loving behaviors on the branches of my tree. Can you think of some more?

Then compare that to those you trust to shape your country, your community, your life.

— If they say they care about you, do their actions match their words?

— Do their actions nurture a thriving, connected society?

— Or do they leave a tree with broken branches and withering roots?

To love is not weakness. It is the strongest, most life-affirming force in the universe. When we align with it, we all grow. When we turn against it, we all suffer.

May we remember that we belong to each other.

May we nourish the root.

May we build a world on love.

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Written by Eris Klein, April 6, 2025 Art created by Eris & her angels