Everything is Spiritual
When Just Love - Greater New Orleans began in January 2024, we knew we wanted to love our neighbors holistically—body, mind, and soul. The big question is where do we begin? And with who? And how? Over the past year, we’ve begun to answer those questions by developing relationships with the folks of New Orleans. At the heart of every thriving relationship is a simple yet profound truth: being “for” one another. Being "for" someone starts with listening, which flows into loving, and culminates in a relationship built on mutual support and trust. For the remainder of 2024, we’ll explore how we’ve been #ForThe504 in 2024 and how we’re building on that to create even more healing and wholeness in the year ahead. Last week we highlighted the second stage, Listening. This week, we wrap up by talking about the third stage to be "for" someone: Building Community.
First, a question. Have you noticed it? You know, this quiet, aching undercurrent in the world around us? They’re calling it a “loneliness epidemic,” but it’s more than a headline. It’s that feeling of being surrounded by people but still feeling unseen, unknown, disconnected. Statistics are still coming out, but as of right now over 52% of Americans report feeling lonely. (Depending on the generation, that number could be up to 75%!!!). It's fair to extrapolate and say that at least half of the folks in Greater New Orleans are experiencing loneliness.
Here’s the thing: loneliness isn’t just a social issue—it’s a spiritual one. Because everything is spiritual. When we’re lonely, we feel cut off from the divine rhythm of life. The flow of connection that reminds us we belong, that we’re part of something bigger. And in a city as alive and vibrant as New Orleans—a city where music, culture, and history pulse through every street—it can feel even heavier to carry that weight of isolation.
Enough with the bad news...here’s the good news: the cure for loneliness isn’t complicated. It’s connection.
New Orleans already knows this, doesn’t it? This is a city that understands the sacredness of gathering. From the joy of a second line parade to neighbors sitting on their porches sharing stories, this place is a masterclass in the art of connection. Loneliness starts to crack open when we look someone in the eyes and really see them. When we put down our phones, lean into the moment, and ask, “How are you? No, really—how are you?” It’s when we invite someone to share a meal, join a conversation, or simply walk alongside us. When we connect with people, we’re not just sharing time; we’re sharing life. And that’s spiritual. All of it. Every hug, every shared laugh, every moment of sitting in the messy, beautiful reality of being human together. In a city like New Orleans, the answer is already here. It’s in the music that pulls strangers together to dance, in the resilience that rebuilds after storms, in the unspoken agreement that life is richer when lived in community.
One could look at the loneliness epidemic as just a crisis—because it is...but it also could be something else...it’s an invitation. It’s a call to step out, to see the sacred in others, to embrace the connections that are waiting to heal us. Everything is spiritual. The cure for loneliness isn’t out there somewhere. It’s right here, in the person sitting across from you, waiting to be seen. And in New Orleans, of all places, we have everything we need to create real and lasting connections with the folks here.
Read on to see where (and to who) Building Community has led us in 2024 and where (and to who) we think it's leading us in 2025.
2024.
We've already talked about how listening is an art form. New Orleans invites us to slow down (waaaaay down), to lean in, and to pay attention. It’s the way the jazz musicians sync up without a word, the way a stranger tells you their life story while you’re waiting in some line for something. Here, listening isn’t just hearing—it’s connecting.
And when you listen like that, something sacred happens. You find yourself drawn to unexpected people, forging unexpected relationships. That's because every person we meet is carrying something holy. Their story, perspective, pain, and joy are all infused with the divine. But you won’t see it unless you’re willing to stop to ask, “What’s your story?” and then sit in the stillness long enough to hear the answer. Just Love - Greater New Orleans has done this listening all of 2024 which led to relationships that cross boundaries and communities of folks we didn’t even know were there.
One of those communities is Together New Orleans. They gather people from all walks of life to address big issues—housing, safety, and education—by listening first, finding solutions to what was heard, and coming together as a community to be that solution. They heard neighbors' concerns about rising energy costs, power outages during storms, and the need for sustainable solutions. In response, a community formed that created the Community Lighthouse Program, installing solar panels and battery systems at key community hubs to ensure power during storms and emergencies. As that expands, another community focuses on their Community Solar Program, which makes clean, affordable energy accessible to households across the city. It’s a beautiful example of how listening leads to action, which leads to a community that crosses boundaries to create lasting change. It’s a community fueled by the sacred act of connection.
Another community is first-generation Hispanic families in Westwego. For them, learning English is a daunting but vital step toward building a new life. In response, a group of dedicated individuals came together to offer ESL classes, providing language skills and a sense of belonging. Deep relationships and connections are forming through these classes as students and teachers share stories, bridge cultural divides, and build a community rooted in understanding and support. It’s a community fueled by the sacred act of connection.
And then there are the clowns (no, seriously, clowns) in the community of Prescription Joy, who are transforming the way we think about healing and connection in some of the most complicated spaces—hospital rooms. Through their team of professional performers trained as medical clowns, they bring laughter, levity, and a sense of wonder to patients, families, and even healthcare workers. But their impact goes far beyond simple entertainment. For patients, especially children, Prescription Joy offers a much-needed escape from the stress and fear of medical treatments. Laughter becomes a form of medicine, easing anxiety, reducing pain perception, and creating moments of joy in overwhelming environments. For parents and caregivers, those moments of lightness remind them that they’re not alone and that even in the darkest times, there’s room for hope. Healthcare professionals, too, feel the ripple effects of Prescription Joy’s work. In a field marked by long hours and emotional exhaustion, the presence of these clowns lifts spirits and fosters a more compassionate atmosphere. It’s a reminder of the human side of healthcare, reconnecting everyone in the room to the shared experience of being fully present in the moment. By responding with humor and playfulness, they create a safe space where vulnerability can coexist with laughter, where healing isn’t just physical but emotional and spiritual, too. Prescription Joy embodies the belief that even in the most serious circumstances, joy has the power to connect, uplift, and heal.
That’s New Orleans's invitation: to listen with our whole selves, to open up to the unexpected. Because when you do, you find connections you never saw coming. You find that the divine isn’t just in the cathedral or the sanctuary or the mosque or synagogue or temple—it’s in the stranger sitting next to you on the streetcar, in the person in line next to you at PJ's, or in the clink of plates and utensils around a dinner table. These are just some areas we have seen and the sacred act of connection and community in the most unexpected places.
Our mission at Just Love is to love our neighbors holistically—body, mind, and soul. And that work starts by being present, responding with care, and cultivating community. We are just beginning to listen intently, to love and serve compassionately, and to form unique communities with the diverse folks of New Orleans so they may experience healing and wholeness. There are so many ways YOU can be a part of this community:
Check out Together New Orleans and Prescription Joy to learn more about those communities (and maybe partner with them).
If you want to know more about how we can expand ESL classes, contact us for more details.
Invest in the Just Love Movement: Small investments make big differences, so any amount you can invest will allow us to better and more fully serve the folks of New Orleans.
Together, we can continue to find and build connections and community with the folks of New Orleans. We love body, mind, and soul so they can experience healing and wholeness.
2025.
We all know the massive challenges facing New Orleans, which is only made more challenging because of the loneliness epidemic. Challenges are too numerous, too complex, and feel impossible to solve. People feel disconnected, unseen, and adrift. It’s not just a statistic—it’s a reality that’s weighing on hearts in New Orleans and far beyond. But what if the answer isn’t as complicated as we think? What if the solution to these massive, overwhelming problems are actually small?
Enter Micro-Communities (or MC's to make things more simple).
Here’s what that means: people gather in spaces and ways that are deeply connected to their specific neighborhoods, shared interests, or unique circumstances. It’s not about massive movements or grand programs—it’s about a group of neighbors turning an empty lot into a garden, a group of single parents meeting weekly for coffee and encouragement, or a few people in a neighborhood banding together to fix each other’s homes after a storm. These MC's work because they meet people where they are. They’re tailored to their local context's rhythms, needs, and quirks. And in a city like New Orleans, with its rich tapestry of neighborhoods, cultures, and traditions, MC's just make sense. Challenges and loneliness doesn’t stand a chance in spaces like these. Something sacred happens when people come together around shared meals, goals, or even shared struggles. Connections form. Stories are shared. People start to remember that they belong, that they’re seen, that their lives matter.
We see this in all spiritual traditions. The Buddha said: “Do not underestimate good, thinking it will not affect you. A water pot becomes full by the constant falling of drops. A wise person becomes full of good, even if they gather it little by little.” Jesus frequently used metaphors to illustrate how small beginnings can lead to significant outcomes. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” Humanism celebrates how incremental progress—scientific discoveries, social reforms, or educational efforts—has dramatically improved human well-being. Small steps taken with intention and care contribute to a better future for everyone. Islam values the cumulative power of small, consistent deeds. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.” In Judaism, the concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) often highlights the importance of small acts of goodness. The Talmud says: “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” Atheists might draw from concepts like the “butterfly effect” in chaos theory, where small initial conditions can lead to significant outcomes, or biological evolution, where small genetic changes over generations lead to vast diversity in life. Hindu philosophy often reflects on the potential of small acts of devotion and intention to lead to significant spiritual outcomes. The Bhagavad Gita teaches: “No effort in this world is ever lost or wasted. Even a small step towards spirituality will shield you from great fear.”
MC's reflect this ancient wisdom. Small, intentional groups of folks that have the power to transform not just individual lives but entire neighborhoods. In Greater New Orleans, we think MC's could be the key to solving some of the big challenges of New Orleans and eliminating the loneliness epidemic. They show us that big change doesn’t always come from sweeping initiatives—it starts with a handful of people daring to believe that the sacred can be found in the smallest, most local of spaces.
In 2025, we will be focusing sustaining our existing MC's as well facilitating new MC's in Greater New Orleans. Here's how you can make small steps to connect to this BIG movement.
If you are in the Westwego or Central City area, connect with us, and we'll tell you all about the MCs and how you can become a big part of them.
If you would like to talk about how to start a MC in your area, connect with us and we'll partner with you to see how your MC can make big changes in your community.
There are several other MC's in development and your investment, one-time or recurring, will help them move from development to deployment.
Together, we can be #4the504 by coming together in small ways to make a big impact in the places we live and work.