The Secret Was Love

If I could sit down with my younger self, I think I know what I would say. Slow down. Don’t worry so much. Enjoy the journey. Laugh more. Forgive quicker. Hold your wife close. Spend more time with your children. Call your parents. Take care of your health. Work hard. Save wisely. Love your friends. Walk with God.

And above all—Love. Because after all these years, I have come to believe that love was the secret all along. Not money. Not success. Not recognition. Not applause. Love.

Love for God. Love for family. Love for friends. Love for people.

Because after enough years, you realize something beautiful. Nobody remembers your schedules. Nobody remembers your worries. Nobody remembers your titles. But they remember your love. They remember your kindness. They remember your laughter. They remember your presence.

And perhaps heaven places such a high value on love because love is eternal. Businesses will pass. Awards will fade. Accomplishments will be forgotten. But love—love never ends.

Everything Jesus did flowed from love. Because love has always been the heartbeat of God.

Seneca wrote: “Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” Perhaps kindness is simply love wearing work clothes.