Hey, let’s talk about something new, yet underrated, but super important: love. It might sound a little simple at first, but stay with me, you are up for a surprise. No matter how unimportant, unnecessary, mundane, or even taboo it sounds, feels, or seems, it’s at the core of everything. The reason for our behaviors and the cause of our misbehaviors. Do I have your attention now?
In a world where we hear so much about greed, selfishness, and people doing things just for their own gain, love is the missing ingredient. It’s the thing that has led to these behaviors and is THE thing that if shared, experienced, or lived, it has the potential of creating a totally different reality. Are you following?
Here’s the thing: as you grow up, you’ll see that love isn’t about romantic relationships only. It’s about the way we show up for each other, the way we support and care for people, especially when they don’t necessarily ask for it. It’s unconditional love, the kind of love where you don’t have to prove anything or be perfect to deserve it. That’s the love it’s our RIGHT to RECEIVE, and it’s also the love we WANT to GIVE.
When you’re loved unconditionally, feeling someone cares despite everything and not because of something, receiving care and affection “because it’s you” and not “even if it is you”—well, that changes how you look at and experience the world. It gives you confidence, makes you feel like you have great worth. It teaches you how to be kind, patient, and understanding because you’ve experienced that same care yourself. It’s like building a solid foundation in your heart on which you can stand through all the difficulties of life.
On the flip side: if you grow up not feeling that love, if you don’t have someone consistently supporting you or reminding you that you matter, and if you’ve never received unconditionally, you will suffer and endure unknowingly. I’ve seen it happen. Insecurity, greed, love for power, love for control, search for fame and wealth, all are feelings and behaviors experienced by people, not because they are bad. They’re only trying to fill a gap inside them, a gap created by lack of love, unconditional love. They might even act in ways that push others away, because they don’t know how to trust or how to truly connect.
A kid who’s always told they never learn from their mistakes, who’s spoken down to for not achieving high in their tasks, and who doesn’t receive affection, will always look for approval. They will grow up feeling like nothing they do is enough. As they become adults, they will develop a love for accumulating things, for fame, or for power trying to fill a gap they don’t even know exists.
Another kid who’s shown love and encouragement, who’s told they’re amazing just for being themselves, is going to feel more confident while growing. When things go wrong, they’ll be more likely to pick themselves up, learn from their mistakes, and keep going. And when they take a leadership role—whether it’s in a job, a team, or a friendship—they’ll be the type of leader who listens, who cares, and who knows how to support others, not just use them to get ahead.
Love is the ingredient that helps us become the best versions of ourselves. Growing up knowing you matter, receiving warmth, and receiving care freely for who you are; this has a tremendous effect on the right mix of character traits to develop. So, if you want to see a better world, it starts with showing up for the younger generation. It starts with giving love—real, unconditional love—to those around you, especially kids. When kids know that someone’s got their back, no matter what, they grow up knowing they’re worthy of that love. And that confidence, that feeling of being enough, that’s what they’ll carry into the world. They will fill the world with confident, competent, empathetic, and motivated individuals.
Be careful, if you’re ever feeling like the world’s a little cold or people are too wrapped up in their own issues, just remember they might be trying to fill a gap they don’t even know exists. Give them your unconditional love. When you give it freely, it spreads, and it makes the world a way better place. And if we want to see stronger, kinder, more compassionate adults, we must start by showing kids that they matter, giving them love unconditionally. The love you give them now is the love they will share with others when they’re older. It’s like planting a seed that’ll grow into something beautiful for everyone to enjoy.