Love Changes Things: Even in the World of Politics

by Caroline Cottom

In the summer of 1983, Caroline was recovering from her thirty-two-year-old sister's death and writing her sister's story when, in one startling moment, she was struck by lightning. Its message? Develop a relationship with Al Gore, Jr, then a US congressman, for the purpose of ending the threat of nuclear war. Although she had little political experience, Caroline heeded the message and moved her family to Washington, DC, where she could work to affect policy. The US and Soviet Union had 50,000 nuclear weapons between them, and Caroline found herself surrounded by politicians who wanted to build even more. A hundred dreams and the voice of Spirit led Caroline ever deeper into the political arena, urging her to build relationships based on love and respect with Members of Congress, peace activists, scientists, and vice presidents of both the United States and the USSR. Love Changes Things is a David and Goliath story where "David" included millions of people working to end nuclear test explosions worldwide. What tamed the dragon was love, an ingredient that is typically missing in arms control work but essential to creating a world at peace. The premise is simple, and the tools are easy to use.

Genres: Memoir

222 pages, Paperback

First published March 22, 2012

About the author

I am a book author, poet, and spiritual and writing teacher living in Greensboro, NC, USA. I have published three books, all with themes of spirituality, assisting readers to "wake up to who you truly are."

(1) In The Isle of Is: A Guide to Awakening , co-authored with Thom Cronkhite, the reader is the main character in the story of their own spiritual awakening. All of nature comes alive to guide the reader to stories of universal wisdom. Conscious Caterpillar, Buda Bug, and a chorus of waves, among others, speak up to set things straight. Thom and I were living on a remote island in Fiji when we wrote this book!

(2) Love Changes Things: Even in the World of Politics , recounts my experience leading the US coalition of 75 national organizations that helped bring an end to nuclear test explosions in Nevada. Led by Spirit, God, or my higher self, I was guided to take unconditional love into the halls of Congress, in meetings with Soviet leaders, and addressing the United Nations, with the goal of reversing the nuclear arms race. I think you will be amazed to see how an ordinary citizen like me could make a difference. The results were profound.

(3) My poetry collection, Asylum (Main Street Rag, 2022), follows the poet's family from sharecropping on the Mississippi flood plain to Texas and California as they work to heal the impacts of multi-generational abuse. The book weaves personal and family history with the larger motif of the asylum both as a physical institution and as a metaphor for the hidden wounds carried across generations. Reviews have called the book beautiful, powerful, and redemptive.

Reviews

[Connie Livingston-dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found 'Love Changes Things', does change things. It's an important resource for how we can stay in the space of love in our daily interactions. This is such an essential skill as we watch occurrences around us that are based on fear and are destroying Earth. We each have many opportunities to engage people with love to make changes and this book will be a great help to all of us. Thank you, Caroline Cottom!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful, inspired book that shows how individuals can make a huge difference in this world. Caroline had a spiritual experience that led to her working with Al Gore on the Nuclear Freeze movement in the 80s. Despite her reluctance, and feeling unprepared, the Spirit performed that which was given her to do--through her. Caroline tells how she was guided by love every step of the way, looking beyond appearances, eschewing political stereotypes, and connecting through what unites rather than divides us. What terrified her at first, became a liberating and empowering experience. Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your courage, and for sharing your transcendent wisdom. It is a lesson for all ages. Peace is certainly found in little steps.

[Kathleen Pooler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Unique Tale of Effecting Change in the World.


When I think of politics, an image of conflict, polarized interests and power struggles emerges so the title Love Changes Things: Even in Politics intrigued me. Once I started reading Dr. Cottom’s book, I was immediately drawn in by the interweaving of the personal story with her political role.

How does one equate loving relationships with the realities of the political world? Cottom answers this call as she follows the Spirit’s lead into the unknown world of politics. This unique and uplifting story is about a young woman who defies convention and makes a difference in her role as head of the Nuclear Freeze movement in the 1980s. She takes us on her spiritual journey from being struck by lightening after the death of her sister and receiving a message that she is to befriend Al Gore, Jr and support his work with nuclear test bans to the actual achievement of the test ban. As she listens to the Spirit’s call to approach her interactions with political leaders in a loving and understanding way, the story of how she was able move the agenda along through building trusting, compassionate relationships with the key players unfolds. Every time she is faced with an important meeting, she sends love ahead of time to the person. As a result, she worked closely with Rep. Al Gore, Jr. to accomplish the nuclear test ban. The U. S conducted its last nuclear test on September 213, 1992.

Cottom’s writing is engaging and credible. She shows us how she was able to change things and does not spare the details of the challenges involved not only in bringing about change of worldwide significance, but also by listening to and trusting her inner voice. Her descriptions of her travels to Iceland, Russia, Kazakhstan and across the U.S and the people she met along the way made me feel as if I was accompanying her. My favorite part of the book is where she weaves in key historical events with her reflections on personal struggles and challenges.

This fascinating story gave me a great appreciation for the courage and persistence it takes to effect positive change in our world. It amazes me how much one woman with a passion for a cause and a strong spiritual connection can and did accomplish.

[Cor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cottom is an exceptional woman in her own right, intelligent, thoughtful, and well spoken. This book is well written. Cottom doesn't spend time in theoretical discussion but leads you through the difficult choices she made in order to follow Spirit's leading as to how she was to change things, and in doing so you'll read about a fascinating journey, both inwardly and geographically. After reading, you will have learned a great deal about the history of the nuclear weapons race and the current challenges the world faces in eliminating nuclear weapons.

The method Cottom applies in her quest to change politics is one of intentional, directed love. On every account before she takes action, she actively sends love to the person. When obstacles arise, she sits with the feelings that come up, acknowledges those feelings, processes them and seeks guidance. This allows her to work from her true nature as a spiritual being. It is a method we might all try given the current state of our world.

After consideration, I have thought for some time that I would refrain from giving any book I read five stars unless it equaled the
epitome of magnificence in writing, which is very rare indeed. There's no doubt that this book deserves a five star rating for openness and untiring dedication of the author toward world betterment, and is very well written, so I'm a bit torn in my resolve.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am deeply impressed by Dr. Cottom's book and message. It blends the pragmatic with the mystical and a clear-eyed view of complex issues with an idealism based on love and trust. Her unusual, perhaps unique, approach to creating change has taken her to many parts of the world and into the corridors of power where she's been influential in important ways. She'd be the first to say that she wasn't alone in her efforts; she had plenty of help, from on-the-ground workers to psychics, dreams, and guiding voices. This may seem strange, but keeping an open mind reveals that as a narrow perspective. Dr. Cottom is convinced that coming from an attitude of love truly does change things, and I agree. She's right, and it gives me hope.

[Sharon Lippincott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t remember the last time I read a book that not only changed the way I thought, but also spurred me to action. Within two days of finishing Carolyn Cottom’s memoir, Love Changes Things, I became aware of a situation in my community that needed to be addressed. Perhaps a week earlier I would have fumed in silence or kvetched with friends, but I would probably not have addressed the situation directly.

While the book is a memoir in every respect, it’s also an action manual for change agents, and that change starts on the inside. She devotes considerable space to conversations she had with the inner voices or guides that led her down the path of developing the relationship with Al Gore that eventually helped influence him to spearhead congressional action to ban nuclear testing and de-escalate the arms race.

Her personal story of overcoming the fear and insecurity that had plagued her since childhood is fascinating and inspiring in its own right. By detailing specific steps she took to overcome that fear, to “feel the fear and do it anyway,” is compelling. She gave me a new way of looking at situations, a way of approaching them in a spirit of love and respect, and that’s an outcome I never expected when I began reading. I don’t hear her guides, but I do now find myself thinking How can I approach this with more love? How can I demonstrate kindness in this difficult encounter? How can I develop a relationship with key people?

It is worth noting that she does not give a recipe for instant results. Her approach is relationship based and that takes time.

[Gary Eby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This powerful book is a must read for all who want positive change in the world. It is heartfelt on many levels. The author talks about her journey to spirituality from a painful childhood to her calling to put Love-in-action via the political arena in America. Is it possible that we can influence those in power to do what is morally right for everybody by simply loving all our leaders unconditionally? Well, she provides an awesome testimony by revealing her pivotal role in manifesting the test ban treaty on nuclear weapons, which took 20 years of effort. She also suggests effective and specific steps that we can take to create a better life for ourselves and a healthier, more peaceful world for each other. Maybe Love is the dominant force in the Universe!

[Stu Schreiber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Dr. Caroline Cotton for connecting unconditional love to politics and ultimately positive change. This extraordinary work needs to be required reading for every elected official in Washington. Urge everyone to read this affirmation of what we should all strive to attain.

[Cynda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to Follow.