To receive it others need to feel your love and they need to know you sincerely care for them. Yet if you’re like most of us you hide your love, in fear people will think you’re strange.

But Mother Theresa didn’t hide it, nor did Gandhi, nor did Nelson Mandela or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., nor do the most popular people you know.

If you share your love with others, it will draw them to you.

Offer your warm smile and have a kind word for all. Ask them about themselves and listen. Note birthdays and other special occasions in a journal so you can remember and acknowledge them.

If someone accomplished something special, send a congratulatory note.

And if a compliment is deserved, don’t hesitate to give it. People deeply desire this attention and so seldom receive it.

If you’ll do these simple loving acts, people will know you really care.

Not only will you find greater joy but when tragedy strikes, as it does at times to each of us, others will be there for you.

My close friend and long-time receptionist, Kathy Basso is one of the most popular people I know for she does everything I’ve outlined for you.

Kathy’s smile lights up a room and you can’t be with her for long without her listening to you and then giving you a kind word and a big hug (or “snug” as she calls it).

Kathy is a divorced mother with two sons, who maintains a close relationship with her ex-parents in-law and a cordial relationship with her former husband and his wife.

A few months ago, Kathy’s 23 year old son John was killed. She got this devastating news in the wee hours of the morning and as her heart ached she cried out in an ocean of tears. For the loss of a child is almost unbearable to any parent.

But from the moment this catastrophe struck, others rallied to her. And hundreds of them came to the funeral service, which was standing room only. From family, from church, from work and from her wide circle of friends, everyone wanted to comfort her.

Kathy said, “I had a tremendous base of support, even weeks after.”

I thought it would be months before she got back on her feet but in about a week, she returned to work. At first there were occasional bouts of tears, but she proved to be quite resilient as her aura of love and her sincere caring for others took over.

Soon, Kathy focused as usual not on herself but on others. To her it’s always, how can she help.

“I have my moments,” Kathy said in speaking of John. “I go to the restroom or take a walk and compose myself.”

Kathy is comforted by her religious belief she will one day be reunited with John. And brimming with love, she lives an active and happy life, involved with her family, her friends, her church, and with two additional people.

With his girl friend, John had a baby daughter who is now 2 1/2 years old. Kathy is a grandmother, lovingly helping to care for this little girl. And that love spills over to this little girl’s mother as well.

And Kathy is not unique in her feelings. Even the most hardened people have love within them.

The toughest criminals often express their love for their mothers, who they insist be “respected.” Inside prison or out many devote themselves to a gang, which becomes a family they’re willing to die for.

Military people have similar feelings and they often express their love. In war, when a comrade is wounded, the other soldiers risk their lives to rescue someone who is “like a brother” (or “sister”) to them. And despite the severity of their wounds, many soldiers try to return to their units.

After Army Cpl. Kenny Stanton Jr. was killed in the Iraq War, another of the “four brothers,” as they called themselves, Ambrose posted this message on MySpace:

“The tears of the remaining three are still raining to this day,” wrote Ambrose. “The four brothers might have lost one of their own, but he will always be here with us, in our hearts…We love you Kenny, I love you brother.”

“I shall continue on in your love and memories that you gave to us.”

So why should you hide your feelings of love. Share that love with the world and like Kathy Basso or a brave soldier or even a gang member, you’ll find wide spread love in return.

Success Tip of the Week: When you get home, how about an “I love you” to each member of your family and giving big hugs to all.