People are often mistaken in believing there are many different types of love, and that some of these types supersede others in terms of significance. This could not be further from the truth. Although we have relationships with some people that are more intimate than others, love – in its entirely – is a powerful and influential force regardless of the degree of intimacy in the relationship. Love does not become more important nor more powerful when it is exchanged between two lovers, a parent, a child, a dear friend, a pet, etc. Furthermore, this inner knowing does not dilute the quality of love that you share with your loved ones. In fact, it strengthens the love you have toward those you might not have paid much attention to the in past. Because love – in its purest form – only has the ability to expand and enhance; it never depreciates nor overshadows.

The intrinsic nature of love is kindness. And though ‘kindness’ is a widely familiar concept, its deeper meaning – its power and its purpose – is often misunderstood or underacknowledged. Love is a feeling; an undeniable energy. Kindness is an action; an act of love. And, since love is the most powerful force in the universe, an act of kindness – regardless of its perceived simplicity or complexity – acts as a catalyst in shaping one’s perceived reality. Although an act of kindness can be perceived as ‘small’ or insignificant, it has the ability to create profound effects that go beyond most of our understanding.

People who possess this deep inner knowing realize how powerful they truly are. They know deep in their soul that they are a catalyst of change for a much larger scale; they know that they are an intricate part of a higher forcefield. This is not to be confused with feelings of grandiosity or superiority; a delusion that the importance of one’s existence supersedes another’s. On the contrary, it grounds us in knowing that we are all in this together; it increases the awareness of our connectivity.

When you achieve this heightened level of awareness, our perceived ‘differences’ begin to fade. You begin to look at people, not merely as extras in your movie, but from a specific place deep within your soul that originates from compassion. Interactions, even with strangers, become more profound. An interaction that takes merely seconds to complete – like that of eye contact and a smile – feels not only longer but also more deeply meaningful. It almost feels as if you are talking to that other person without saying a single word. Your energies meet on neutral ground and, for that moment, you can feel shared compassion and respect for one another.

This deep inner knowing is empowering and ignites an urge in people to spread love wherever they go. They begin to notice that the universe offers them blessings in return. This is a feeling much different from the mindset of reserving our love for those who we are closest to, and the conscious effort to treat others how we would like to be treated. This feeling is limitless, boundless, all encompassing, and powerful beyond anything we could imagine.

Many people immerse themselves in a strictly 3D world in which they are the main role and everybody else is an extra in their reality. However, when one reality intercepts with another reality in a way that is both thoughtful and meaningful, this higher dimensional force has the power to ignite a light in both of the people involved in the interaction. This light signifies love. And since love is – in its essence – the most important and powerful catalyst for positive change, this interaction has the ability to alter one’s perceived reality in a profound way.

This 3D world – society – that a lot of us surrender to, places pressure on us to “achieve”, make a difference sort of speak, in a way that feels competitive. As a result, we have this underlying desire to make ourselves known and we develop this tendency to measure our self-worth solely through the validation of others. In a sense, we live in a world where if no one sees it, then it is as useless as if it has never happened. This sense of pressure and competition – and the anxiety it induces within us – is not only unnecessary as much as it is a total façade. In actuality, this current way of doing and being creates unauthentic interactions in which people’s choices are fueled by the approval of others all while their own sense of self-worth and inner peace plummets. And, in the end, mutual love and respect does not flow freely through us all; instead it is reserved and compartmentalized.

The beautiful truth is that love is the only driving force that shapes reality on both the individual and collective level in a way that aligns with global goals. Simple acts of kindness are never simple. However, the act itself has to originate from a place of genuine compassion and respect; the essence of love in its purest form. And this is both why and how it is easily possible to love every stranger you see whether you interact with them or not. Because the truth is, you do not have to know someone in order to love them.

For example, eye contact and a smile. Most of our days – in the mist of our daily errands – are filled with strangers coming and going around us. Most of them we pay no attention to. Yet, there exists moments in which – whether done intentionally or not – we make direct eye contact with one another. And even though this moment is here and gone within seconds, it offers us a viable opportunity to create change both within ourselves and the other person involved. But, instead, how do we decide to spend these seconds? Do we look at some of their physical attributes and judge them? Do we focus on their sexual attractivity? Do we make assumptions about their personality? Do we maintain a blank mind and quickly look away out of social discomfort or complete disregard? Are we too busy looking at our phones to even notice the stranger? Or do we smile out of automaticity; coming from a place that aligns with social norms and expectations?

But there exists another world that some of us know; a reality that ascends much higher – a reality that is more profound and meaningful – than the 3D reality that society offers us. A world where, in those couple of seconds, we deeply humble ourselves to this stranger in knowing that they are an individual – no different from you – with their own separate reality, their own separate path, their own separate life that has its own unique set of struggles. And they too, just like you, are getting by the best way they can. This feeling is profound. It comes from deep within. It is a purely genuine sensation that cannot be forced nor fabricated. This feeling generates a deep respect within you for your stranger. This level of respect is boundless; it does not care about your self-created drama nor your programmed beliefs, biases, and prejudices. This entire process is instantaneous; those few seconds are more than enough. This sensation causes you to smile at them. Then something interesting happens; something beautifully powerful. Your energy at this time is so strong that they can feel it, and they smile back. Not just any smile though, a smile that has a strong sense of acknowledgement for what has just happened in this quick exchange. A smile that mirrors that same level of compassion and understanding – thus respect – back to you. As a result, both of you walk away with a shared feeling. This feeling, even for just a moment, makes our soul feel lighter.

Perhaps it can even change how we make our next decision, or even initiate a profound perspective shift.

If this phenomenon were to occur more frequently, if more people were to adopt this way of being, perhaps we would start to see a shift in these strongly established social constructs that currently dominate society; which aim to separate people into groups as opposed to unite them. Perhaps, if we experienced a significant spread love – regardless of our differences (age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, religion, political beliefs, etc.) – then we will start to see a blur in the lines of these groups that people currently hold so dearly to their heart; groups in which they feel dependent on as an integral part of their identity. And that’s not to say that these groups will necessarily dissipate in their entirety. But perhaps it will soften their dividing lines; leading us to a place where we can function more effectively solely due to our increased compassion, understanding, and respect for each other.

Instead of placing the majority of our focus on our differences, we will begin to place more focus on our greatest commonality; the human experience.

Let’s not forget that, in the eyes of your strangers, you are also a stranger.

There is just so much to say. I will continue later. Thank you for reading.