Love Travels Far and Fast

A few years ago I began ending my letters and e-mails with some variation of the words “sending love” or “sending a hug.” I often receive a reply from someone who confirms that she could feel my hug, and I have come to believe that this is truly possible. We really can send love to someone far away, someone who is often in our thoughts or someone who may need a bit of additional support. I believe that if we are clear in our intention to send love, the person intended to receive it actually does. And while I cannot prove this theory, here’s a story that supports my belief.

About three years back, a friend (let’s call her Anna) and I were on our way to have dinner at a local restaurant. We drove by a store that had just opened and we decided to make a quick stop. The small shop was run by a delightful woman who loved to chat, and she spoke to us as we looked around the store. Anna and I stopped at a wooden rack on which simple necklaces were displayed, each with one multi-colored glass bead hanging on a silver chain. As Anna’s birthday was approaching, I asked her to select one. I did the same, and we wore our new necklaces out of the store. That necklace was a favorite of mine in the months that followed, but then it remained untouched in a jewelry pouch in a dresser drawer.

Anna and I do not talk often, but I feel a deep and unexplainable connection to her and to her husband (let’s call him Andrew). I hadn’t spoken to Anna in several months when she responded to an e-mail I send out about a Women’s Circle I was invited to lead in New York in September. Anna wrote about a challenging situation that she and her family were facing, so I called her. We had a great conversation, caught up on each other’s news, and as we said goodbye I told her that I would keep her and her family in my thoughts and prayers. A few days later, I searched through the jewelry pouch for my glass bead necklace and then sent this text message – “Wearing my glass necklace as a sign of solidarity, Anna. I love you and am sending a big hug to you & Andrew. ..xoxo”

An hour later I received this reply – “Hi, Sharon. That is so cosmic. So am I. Guess I could feel your connection.” I smiled and tears filled my eyes. Anna was able to feel my love and I could feel hers, not because we were wearing our matching necklaces but rather, I believe, because we our love traveled as we thought about each other. We were “being there” for each other without being together. I cannot prove this, but I know it is true.

We live in a world where unconditional love is rarely mentioned and where our reliance on e-communication contributes to a growing lack of emotional connection. I believe that we can change our lives, and the world, by investing more time and energy in loving and respecting ourselves as well as those we encounter each day. We can be more generous with our love and also more open to receiving love from others. As for me, I am committed to helping make this a better world one hug at a time, in person or across the miles. If you believe that love travels far and fast (or even if you don’t), send some now to someone you know.

Sending you love and a very big hug!

Sharon