In 1967, The Beatle’s released the song “All You Need is Love”. Years later, it is still a fan favorite.  I think it’s because people so badly wish that love was really all we needed. Our movies, our stories and our history all celebrate love like it is the ultimate goal in life. Don’t get me wrong, love is great, but because we idolize it and look for it our entire lifetime, I think we overestimate its power.

In 2011, the Band the Nine Inch Nails released a song entitled “Love is Not Enough”. One line reads, “love is not enough, I’ve learned, to see the journey through.” I like that line because it means that to endure a lifetime, you need more than just love.

I wonder what the songwriters have planned for this year? During this pandemic most people around the globe realized that love was way more than pure emotion or lofty passions. lately we have needed more than love. We needed respect and humility, and the ability to say I am sorry. We needed forgiveness, patience and grace. This past year we could not ignore our fundamental beliefs and values – and if we did not know what those were, we were asked multiple times to figure them out.

I don’t mean to sound depressing, but I recognize that as I get older, I am not as idealistic as I once was. I am more realistic and pragmatic now. I believe as we move into this new year, we need to have a greater appreciation for what is important in our lives and in our relationships. There is so much more there, there. True love for anything, person or place, hinges on our accepting and understanding those deeper and more important values.

You might ask, how does all of this relate to the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Los Gatos? We have those old street pole banners up all over town, you know the ones that say “Love Los Gatos”. When we printed those banners 18 months ago, Loving Los Gatos was easy. Now, if we really love this Town, we have some work to do. Loving your town right now, and I am talking about any Town USA, you have to make a commitment to it.

What does that mean?

If we all make these four simple commitments then we will more deeply understand what love has to do with it. Funny to think, Tina Turner wrote that song in 1984. Perhaps, as humans we will continue to question what love really means.

Here’s to February 2021, Love with all of your heart.

Catherine Somers

Executive Director