Now is the time to Lead With Love.

February 2022

Dear Friends,

“Let us pray for every woman and man. For the young and the old, for their children, for the hopes they nourish, for their dreams. Behind every flag of any shape or color, there is always sacredness, wonder and the miracle of a life.

I am sure that the vast majority of us want peace, not violence, and for everyone to live a life of dignity and reach their full potential. Every conflict is a tragic intellectual accident, while peace is the most decent and natural thing for humankind to aim for.

Let us pray that courage (from the Latin cor-habeo, “to have a heart”) and lucidity should bloom in all our hearts, constantly seeking goodness and guided by the virtues of fortitude, as Plato reminds us. Let us pray and strive for peace with all our might.” Andrea Bocelli

I awoke deeply saddened to hear the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. I am heartbroken for the many lives suddenly upended with ensuing violence and terror.  I followed the unfolding coverage throughout the day, and was especially moved by the individual interviews of people coping with the reality of the situation and uncertainty of their future. 

At Lead with Love, we take time today to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. While we may not understand all of the dynamics at play, we will always stand for non-violence. We strive to promote a free, just, and equitable society -- one inspired by the shared sacredness of life. We stand with our friends, colleagues, and community to  support Ukraine’s right to live as a sovereign, free country without the threat of coercion, violence, or fear. 

The pressures and stressors on humanity and the earth are deeply felt and appear to be escalating. It is our time to speak up for humanity’s future, and the answer will only emerge from all of us working together. This is the great work of our time if we are to truly emerge from this global crisis. 

At Lead with Love, we see the difficulties of the times we are in. We see the challenge of discerning a way forward. We see escalating violence, environmental degradation, and many ways we continue to do harm to one another, our fellow living beings, and the planet. And we will continue to work hard alongside the many people whose hearts continue to awaken to the sacredness of our shared earth community. 

Our hearts are with the Ukrainian people at this difficult time. Now is the time to Lead with Love. 

Sincerely,

Anne White

Executive Director