I came across a word and a concept when reading David Brooks’ The Second Mountain. (I am loving this book, and it will be the focus of my next Book Recommendation blog). It was the Greek term agape. Brooks writes that the Greeks distinguish between three types of love: philia friendship, eros — passion, and agape — selfless giving. It was in reading this that I remembered Charlie Scudamore, Vice Principal of Geelong Grammar School at the time, speaking about agape, his understanding of it and personal appreciation of the concept.
While obviously mentally noting Charlie’s words at the time, they did not resonate deeply in the way they did yesterday. Why was that? The difference is that in having done the work of my personal manifesto, in which I wrote: I wish to create a community of care throughout my immediate family, my community, and the society of which I am one, I realised that this is my practice of agape. This is the love that we, at my manifesto wish to generate through all of us living intentionally the lives we have revealed through our own personal declarations of wisdom and intention, which will create the ripple that will spread in ever widening circles to build a kinder world.
In another context, Justin and I continue our work in guiding a business team through the 7-Steps of our book, My Manifesto: a compassionate guide to reveal your best life. This team, through their work as behavioural consultants, often work and advocate for greatly troubled and socially disadvantaged clients, and in doing so, draw deeply upon selfless giving. Our work, we believe, in supporting them to draw forth their own unique life statements, assists them to be aware consciously of their intentionality in their work and to use this awareness to feel the joy of living their best lives in the work they do.
Recently also, I encountered a manifesto mate who had finished their work through our book and proudly declared, “It is on the wall!” Over coffee they kindly shared the insights they have gained through the work, literally turning the pages of a journal they had written their responses within and musing upon them. Some of their insights they recognised as being present for a very long time, at the core of them. Others surprised them. They had the shock of recognition as I had with ‘agape’: ‘Oh, so this is important to me.’ They concluded our conversation with these words: “Your book will change lives…if you do the work.”
The invitation has been issued and ratified.