The biggest secret in the world is we all really love each other

“The world is sneakier than I thought, more mysterious and filled with wonder than I boiled things down to.”—Lisa Gungor

I live near a river. My favorite coffee shops, restaurants, the local art theater are just on the other side so I often find myself walking across the bridge. The pedestrian/bike lane is small so I regularly pass fellow humans heading the other direction. I always smile, nod, give a courteous, “hello!”

But what my heart longs to do is high-five them, fist-bump them, to exclaim out loud. “Isn’t this cool? You and I? Here together? What are the odds? This moment will never be again. We could die. Why aren’t we celebrating?”

It’s a puzzling quandary. Why do we waste even one moment of time not loving each other, not celebrating our common humanity? Where did we get these crazy rules? That’s it’s okay to love people in specified relationships? That it’s okay to love people after they prove themselves “safe?” That it’s acceptable to give of your gifts when somebody pays for them?

We are wasting time, people. The world is filled with so many amazingly awesome beings and we could be loving them all—even if only for a moment, on a bridge.

Speaking of love, I’m excited to report that Sheroes Hangout, the first recipient of Taz’s 222 Foundation, is making good use of their grant. Abhay sent pictures of their new space which I’m thrilled to share here with you. Thank you, one and all, for your touching cards, your good wishes, your donations, your pictures of 222.

For those who haven’t heard, Sheroes Hangout is an incredibly inspiring café/coffee shop in Agra, India, not far from the Taj Mahal where I left part of Taz’s ashes. It’s run by victims of acid attacks, 10 women whose lives have been turned upside down after acid was thrown on them by people who allegedly loved them. Sheroes Hangout offers coffee and free food to anyone who stops by, no questions asked.

Rather than protest their unfortunate situations, these women are changing society by choosing to give, by choosing to love, by choosing to demonstrate that, despite being culturally shunned, they are still beautiful and worthy and bursting with important gifts to bestow on the world.

I will be announcing a request for proposals for next year’s 222 Foundation grant soon. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I’m excited to let you know Course in Miracles for Badasses (my 20th book) debuts in early 2020. Yet another 2-2-2.

For now, though, I’d like to ask a favor. I’m currently collecting happy songs, songs that make you want to dance, to love, to be more of who you really are.

I’d be so grateful if you could take a moment and list your favorite celebration songs in the comments below.

And again, my friends, thank you SO, SO MUCH!!!!

Pam Grout is the author of 19 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, Art & Soul,Reloaded: A Year-Long Apprenticeship to Summon the Muses and Ignite Your Daring, Audacious, Creative Side.