“What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” These lyrics were written by songwriter Hal David and put to music composed by Burt Bacharach in the 1960s. The song was first released April 15, 1965, and sung by Jackie Deshannon and later by Petula Clark and Dionne Warwick.

The song arrived during a tumultuous period in America’s history — the Civil Rights movement, the march to Selma, the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, race riots in California, the assassinations of Malcolm X and Pres. John F. Kennedy and protests around the country.

We survived those years and yet, once again, the U.S. is facing a time of polarization and division that is threatening the very state of democracy in our country.

Our world is plagued by division, conflict and hatred — and I am worried. I admit I am a news addict; I watch the nightly news and my worry turns to depression and deep concern. What I see on the news are thousands of deaths across the world due to out-of-control egomaniacal dictators who want to rule the entire world and have no concern for the men, women and children who are brutally murdered at their command.

In the U.S., we have former Pres. Donald Trump who, along with his supporters, is only focused on gaining power and control and dividing the country. He even threatens to be a dictator if elected to the presidency and said he will terminate the “vermin,” which includes migrants, Democrats, and whoever else disagrees with him.

Extremists are causing conflict across the country and tearing political parties and even families apart.

It is evident that what the world needs now is love — and lots of it. Love is a force that can heal wounds, bridge gaps and foster understanding. It is a force that can bring about positive changes, create harmony and promote a sense of unity.

Love is not just a sentiment but a force that involves compassion, empathy and respect. Love has the potential to heal and transform individuals, communities and the world.

We have all, I hope, experienced love, and it has brought us a sense of belonging and unity. When we are loved and we love, we thrive. We have witnessed the power of love here in our own community many times, when an individual or a family is hurting or struggling and the community comes together to provide assistance, love and support.

On a global scale, love is crucial to help find common ground, resolve conflicts and bring about peaceful solutions. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent resistance movements were rooted in love and compassion and resulted in positive changes.

Through love, which encourages diplomacy, dialogue and understanding, we can bring about peaceful resolutions and create a more harmonious world. It is through love that we can build a world where empathy triumphs over hatred and prevails over division.

As we draw near to a holiday that has been designated as a day of love, Valentine’s Day, and the week of Feb. 11-17 designated as “Kindness Week,” I am making a vow to show kindness and love more and not just on that designated week or day, but to practice it every day. I challenge readers to do the same.

I am going to keep repeating this song in my head every day to remind me:

“What the world needs now is love sweet love, it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love sweet love, No, not just for some, but for everyone.”