Fill a child with enough love to last a lifetime and that child will grow up to do the same.

Love seems to be the answer to almost any question. And there is no question that children need love -- lots of it. Some need more than others, yet all of them do better when they are filled with love.

We all know that abused children tend to grow up and continue that abuse with their own children. Better stated might be that abusive adults were usually abused children. Why not the opposite - fill a child with love?

I remember a simple example of this. Long ago I was teaching tennis on private courts in the Malibu Colony, a very exclusive, private area north of Santa Monica. I was working with a recently divorced woman who had just moved into the Colony with her brood of children. It was a disheveled life for the kids as well as for her. Money didn't solve it.

As we were hitting balls, children kept coming on the court with one problem or another. The mother was distracted in many ways. Then there was one small fellow about four years-old riding a tricycle around on my side of the court. He was sad and lost. I just went over to him and just put my hand on his back. He settled and accepted my kindness. His mother carried on with her disruptive teens. Later she asked me what I had done for her son. I said that I had just loved him.

This experience made an impression on me as a young woman and later when I had my own son I loved him continuously. He is now a young man with a wonderful young woman in his life. She reports to me now and then how kind and loving he is. This makes me smile.

Children, of course, need more than just love. But when love is the underpinnings of their life it will certainly be extended throughout their life and beyond.

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"Life is wonderful."

Life sings only love songs.

Life, or in this case, nature is constantly humming, singing, whispering sweet nothings in our ears. But to listen, that's the key. Life sings the most beautiful songs to us as we hustle through our days. They are tunes of: slow down, take it easy, care for yourself, watch out for others. And, the ever-present song, "I love you."

How to hear this sweetness when things seem so disruptive and disjointed? Quiet the inner chatter, knowing that these harmonious currents are there to sooth, inspire and fill you with all that really matters. It is not so hard to do. Just stop for a moment and let the words in your head float away. Or, look at the clear, blue sky and imagine that it drifts into your mind.

I think doing this a couple of times a day keeps you dancing to the right tunes and feeling better for it. And if you can't hear these sweet sounds, breathe them in. They are there for your using, for your nourishment. We do much and have much to do, but it is so helpful to be fed by all that is higher and love is indeed higher than most of what we are occupied by.

Tune in, let go of all that is not useful and sail with life. The invitation is there. Those love songs are continuous and life sings them to you.

"Life is wonderful!"