Love In The Present
“We are not held back by the love we didn’t get in the past, but by the love we’re not extending in the present.” — Marianne Williamson
This quote hit me right between the eyes. Not because I did not receive love in the past. I was very fortunate to grow up in a loving household. My ‘because’ is in the key message that our past does not have to define us.
We can change our future by changing what we do today.
And if this idea feels foreign or uncomfortable, have no fear. Nothing worth pursuing is easy. Love, like a muscle, grows stronger the more reps you put in. The magic is in the consistent application.
This is where the eighth wonder of the world is ignited… the compound effect.
We can choose to love — to be an example — even if we never had one.
Love is not loud.
It’s the small, almost insignificant acts done for another human being every day.
It’s being other-centred; doing something for someone, big or small.
Even better if it’s something they would never think to do for themselves.
It could look like:
Acts of service: do their shopping, mow their lawn, clean their car.
Encouraging words: send a thank-you message to the partner, spouse, colleague, team member or even the parents of someone on your team — acknowledging the incredible human they ’ve raised.
Listening with full presence: 30 minutes, no distractions. Is your daughter heartbroken? Don’t solve. Just listen.
A thoughtful gift: something small that says, “I’m thinking of you.”
A hug or emotional courage: for the person who desperately needs both.
This is intentional.
This is sincere.
This is love in action.
As Maya Angelou taught us:
“They will remember how you made them feel.”
And as John Maxwell reminds us:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care”.
Leadership is a people business.
And people have feelings.
Being more human today is not optional — it’s paramount.
By expressing our humanness and the most significant attribute we possess, love, we free ourselves from the shackles of any loveless moments in our past.
It’s your call.
In closing, the highest form of paying attention is to accept and love someone exactly as they are.
Reflective Challenge:
Who, in your world today, needs a small act of love from you — one that costs you little, but could mean everything to them?
P.S. As many pause this week in gratitude, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this Legacy Moment. If you’d like to deepen your own reflection practice, you can download my free Count Your Blessings resource here:
Count your Blessings: The Ultimate Gratitude Worksheet | Leader Legacy
Legacy is built in the noise — but refined in the pause.
Gary Good
Founder — LeaderLegacy