I read the book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, after which this post is named, many years ago and little except the title has stayed with me. It explores, apparently, the notion of love as being like a sickness, akin to cholera in the degree of its contagion.
Oh if only that were true. I mean real love, not romantic, lustful, whimsical love. Real love for ourselves that leads to an ability to connect with ourselves, be a true companion to ourselves in times of need and truly take care of ourselves. And real love for others that means we care for others, look out for each other, make efforts to help and support each other, even when it is not convenient to us.
The times in which we live are calling for this with ever greater urgency. For a start, 86% of the population are likely to be affected to a mild or moderate degree whereas the minority of the population, those ageing and with underlying health conditions, are very seriously at risk. Secondly, there is a rising tide of anxiety and fear in the general population; anxiety about health, anxiety about business and the economic impact, anxiety about enforced social isolation and anxiety about massive disruption to life as we know it. It is easy to laugh or make light of other people’s anxiety when you do not share it. But that is not love or empathy or compassion.
There is no time like now for real love: in our families, of course, but also in our places of work and our communities. It is strange perhaps to read of love in any context relating to business. But maybe that is part of the problem. And in order for us to come through this in the best possible way, I suggest we all start leading and living with love.