We’re All Homies in the Kin-dom of Love

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget what matters most: People

Hello and welcome, treasured one—

This November, the accident that should have killed me, will be old enough to get a driver’s license. This cracks me up because, while I’m obviously still around to write to you, the calamity did rob me of the ability to drive. Though … it occurs to me, this could be my ghost writing you—which would add a whole new meaning to ghostwriting—but I delightfully digress. ;) That fateful day, I lost my peripheral vision and depth perception—making it unsafe for me to be “behind the wheel”.

I bring up my major mishap because:

There’s something about having your world turned upside down, which highlights what matters most.

This is why—overall—I view nearly losing my life, becoming visually and mentally disabled, and being medically retired from the air force, as a blessing. “The accident”, as we call it, shifted me from focusing on success, promotion, accomplishment, status, achievement, wealth, and so on; to centering on connection, compassion, kindness, relationships, celebration, generosity, and their kin. Not that I always live in the latter space, nor that the former doesn’t have its proper time and place—more so that I write this as a reminder for you and I.

Josh Radnor distinguishes between these two mentalities by naming the former a resume life, and the latter a eulogy life. I think the lead actor from the TV show How I Met Your Mother is really onto something here. Ironically, while my partner lives quite eulogistically—the resume, i.e. job side of her life ends up taking care of itself. Which leads me to posit:

If you put providing for, or making a name for yourself first; there won’t be room for anyone, or anything else. But, when you put people first, sustenance and status will naturally follow.

Perhaps this is what Jesus is getting at by saying, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV) The “kingdom” the Christ is referencing isn’t a physical place per se, so much as it is a space of caring, compassion, kindness, empathy, unity, and love. In other words, it’s a kin-dom. It’s living with the awareness that we are all part of one human family. We are homies, here to take care of one another on our journey through life. And what is more “righteous”, i.e. right living, than that?

Yet, I forget this on the regular. I get caught up in trying to achieve X, Y, or Z. I fret about not having enough of _____. I worry about my aging body. I lament not being as successful at teaching yoga as so-and-so. And on it goes.

So, I write this to help you and I both remember to put the first things first. I type these words, fully hoping and believing we will know:

Life is not a race, but a journey. We are not here to compete, but to connect. Acts of kindness, empathy, understanding, forgiveness, inclusion, and generosity are more precious than money or possessions. We are all kin. The more we remember this, living with the awareness everyone we meet is our homie, the more at home—amidst life’s ups and downs—each of us will feel.

How does this resonate with you? Does it spark or inspire something within? Please let us know in the comments, subscribe and click the “like” button 🤍 if this spoke to you, and share it with anyone you think it could benefit. And above all, please remember: You are amazing, and I hope you have a beautiful day!

Hugs & Love,

Lang (aka “Dr. Love”)