#4the504
Well...it's been quite the year!!! Right about this time in 2023, we were about to move and begin the work of Just Love in Greater New Orleans. It would be impossible to share WHAT happened over the course of the year. (Don't worry, we are definitely going to share some highlights). What is possible is to share HOW we have been Just Loving Greater New Orleans this past year.
Whether you are a science person or a spiritual person (or a little of both), relationships are a fundamental part of our reality. In science, we find that every atom, galaxy, eco-system...even the hard-cold data that tells us about all those things exist in relationship with something(s) else. In spirituality, every prayer/meditation, act of service, interaction...even the sacred writings that guide us, exist in relationship with something(s) else. One could say that relationships are one of the most or THE most important aspect of...well…everything!
That BIG...too big, really. So let's zoom in and focus on how we exist in relationship with everything around us..human relationships in particular. First a question: ever wonder why relationships begin? What about why they get imbalanced and end? VERY long (and big...zooming in some more) story short, one could say relationships often falter not because of a lack of effort but because the effort isn’t aligned with the deeper needs of connection for everyone involved. At the heart of every thriving relationship is a simple yet profound truth: being “for” one another. It starts with listening, flows into loving, and culminates in a relationship built on mutual support and trust.
Listening is more than hearing words; it’s about seeking to understand the heart behind them. When someone shares their story, they offer you a glimpse into their world. When we take time to listen deeply, we lay the foundation for a relationship where the other person feels seen and heard
Listening naturally leads to love—the feeling and the action. Genuine love seeks to serve, meeting the needs of others in ways that make them feel valued and supported. Serving one another in relationships isn’t about grand gestures but small, consistent acts communicating care. It’s about being attentive to what the other person needs, not what we think they need. Loving through serving demonstrates that you are for the other person, willing to invest in their well-being without expecting anything in return.
When listening and loving become consistent practices, something beautiful happens: a relationship of mutual support and trust takes root. In this kind of relationship, both individuals feel like the other is truly “for” them—a champion of their growth, dreams, and well-being. When others feel like we’re for them, we cultivate a relationship that is not just about getting but about giving, not just about proximity but about partnership.
For the remainder of 2024, we will share more in-depth insights on these practices. We will also share how we have been #4the504 in 2024 and how we plan to be even more #4the504 in 2025—body, mind, and soul. Our hope is that you will see that the Just Love movement is indeed moving and bringing healing and wholeness to the lives of folks we have encountered and will…encounter.
Disconnection.
Over the course of 2024, we have had countless encounters with individuals, families, business owners, spiritual community leaders, and city officials, listening intently to their stories—their triumphs, challenges, hopes, and longings. In all that listening, we consistently heard four main issues that New Orleans folks face daily.
Crime and Safety: Despite significant progress, New Orleans faces persistent challenges with crime and public safety, as residents contend with high rates of violent crime that undermine their sense of security. Limited police resources and community trust gaps make implementing effective crime prevention strategies difficult.
Housing Insecurity: Housing insecurity remains a critical issue in New Orleans, where rising rent costs and a shortage of affordable housing leave many residents struggling to find stable shelter. Persistent effects of past disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, combined with gentrification and economic disparities, have displaced long-standing communities.
Economic Inequality: Economic insecurity in New Orleans is a persistent issue, with many residents facing limited access to well-paying jobs and opportunities for upward mobility. Systemic inequalities and racial disparities exacerbate the problem, leaving marginalized communities disproportionately affected.
Loneliness Epidemic: Contrary to its festive reputation, many New Orleanians face increasing social isolation, exacerbated by economic disparities, housing instability, and lingering effects of the pandemic. Elderly individuals, in particular, struggle with limited access to social resources, while younger generations report feeling disconnected despite being surrounded by the city’s bustling atmosphere.
These are big issues with complex solutions requiring significant time and resources. Too big for Just Love to tackle. As we listened, though, it became clear that these challenges are symptoms of something more profound: DISCONNECTION. There’s a gap between city leaders and residents, neighborhoods, business and non-profit communities, and individuals alike and unalike. To move forward, New Orleans doesn’t need plans or policies and the people and resources to put them into effect—but CONNECTION. Real change will come when we all CONNECT to listen, understand, and work toward solutions as one community. Now, THAT is something Just Love CAN do and is all about.
For the remainder of 2024, we will share deeper insights into the DISCONNECTIONS we have encountered and the CONNECTIONS we facilitated this past year. We will also offer how we plan to facilitate greater and deeper CONNECTIONS in 2025...body, mind, and soul.
Connection.
In 2025, Just Love - Greater New Orleans focus will be CONNECTION, guided by two principles.
“Do for ONE what you wish you could do for EVERYONE”
Let’s face it: the challenges in our world, our cities, and even our own lives are huge. They’re complicated, messy, and need way more time and resources than most of us have. It’s easy to look at it all and think, “What’s the point?” That’s when the frustration creeps in, turning into discouragement, and before you know it, we’re all feeling even more disconnected—kind of the opposite of what we need. But here’s the thing: we don’t have to fix everything. We don’t even have to help a ton of people. We just have to help one. When we (YOU) “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone,” something magical happens. You pour your energy into making a real difference for one person, one family, or one neighbor. And guess what? That one connection often leads to another and then another. Suddenly, that one turns into some, and before you know it, you’re a lot closer to all than you thought you’d ever be. The bonus is that this is not just about the help you’re giving—it’s about the connection you’re building. It reminds people they matter, and it reminds you that change doesn’t have to start big. It starts with showing up for the person right in front of you.
“Small is the new Big"
It's amazing what we see and can do when focusing on what’s right in front of us. When communities zoom in on their own unique needs, they create these little pockets of change that, when combined, ripple out into something huge. Picture a city where every neighborhood becomes its own hub of activity—tackling housing challenges, improving safety, or just creating spaces where people can hang out and actually feel connected. All those small, local wins add up to a much bigger, better picture. Afterall, small communities know their stuff. They know the people, the problems, and the opportunities better than anyone. One block might start a trash cleanup crew, while another puts together a community garden or a safe place for kids to play. On their own, these efforts might seem tiny, but when dozens (or even hundreds) of communities are doing their thing? That’s when the whole city starts to feel the impact. Real change happens because people are solving problems where they live instead of waiting for some top-down solution that doesn’t quite fit. When communities take the lead, this becomes more than a catchy phrase—it’s a roadmap for real progress. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about creating pride, ownership, and connection in every community. And as these small victories stack up, they come together like pieces of a puzzle, forming a city that thrives because everyone plays a part. Significant change doesn’t need big gestures—it just needs a lot of small actions by people who care.
For the remainder of 2024, we will share deeper insights into how we have been guided by these principles this past year. We will also offer how we plan to continue our work in 2025—body, mind, and soul.