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Hippies were also called “Flower Children.” We were also known as the “Love Generation.” The summer of 1967 in San Francisco was billed as the “Summer of Love.” We truly believed that love in all its manifestations could change and save the world.
 Our concept of love extended to people of all backgrounds and the natural world. We truly believed that “Love is all you need.” We recognized the importance of surrounding ourselves with other peaceful and loving people.
Hippies were proponents of “Free Love.” Contrary to popular belief, this did not involve wide-open sexuality (at least compared to what is common today.) Hippies were willing to experiment with new forms of love and intimacy, including group sex, homosexuality, and other practices that were considered taboo in the US. Hippies were among the first to openly discuss and acknowledge their sexuality.
We also saw sex as a great way to rebel against our parents and the rest of straight society. Hippies did not really believe in the institution of marriage, but did tend to form pair bonds. They did change partners, but tended to practice serial monogamy. With the arrival of the birth control pill in the mid-sixties, sexuality became more open than ever. Women began asserting their rights to gain control their own bodies.
Hippies recognized the importance of being loved by others. We also learned to love ourselves. Hippies aimed for improved interpersonal relationships as a way to enhance personal development. Hippies also valued diversity and sought to love those who were different (contrary to the ways in which many Americans fear people who were different.) This sense of love also encouraged hippies to reach out and embrace other cultures. Given our belief in karma, hippies also believed that if we expressed love, then love would be returned to us many-fold.
Like most young people, hippies were strongly opposed to the war in Vietnam. We truly believed that “War is not healthy for Children or other Living Things.” Given the horrors of war we urged our elected officials to give peace a chance. Our approach to peace extended to our interpersonal dealings with others. We tried to show compassion and respect for people we meet. Also, hippies were among the first groups concerned with animal welfare and the rights of non-human species.
How to Have the Love We Need:
* Practice the golden rule – treat others as you like them to treat you. Show concern and respect for all that you meet. Radiate a sense of good will and love by a smile and optimistic aura. Spend more time with your family and friends. Listen more and get to know what others want and need.
* Show (un)common courtesy to strangers – hold the door for people and offer to help someone in need. Take your time and don’t push people – either in line at the store or on the road. Volunteer to be of service to the less fortunate in your community.
Quit trying to compete with others. The future of our world depends on being able to cooperate with others. Recognize that love is like knowledge – the more we share the more we have.
* Adopt cats and dogs that have been rescued. Research has shown that people who have pets are happier. Companion animals can teach us a lot about love. Show compassion for all living things.
* If you are already in a loving relationship you and your partner should renew your commitment toward each other. If you are not in a relationship you better find somebody to love. Online dating services provide unprecedented opportunities to meet and mate with compatible people.
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HipHappy Habits 
