Haiku – not exactly.
Common knowledge – yes – but knowing is not everything.
Phases of our lives?
Perhaps – but one thing is for sure, we do mellow and most do become more generous.
Do not read these words too literally and we might glimpse that one out of three might not see us through the needle’s eye.
Related link > Be Nice based on a true story.
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Is it practically possible to love those who loath you? Keeping away from negative person is best.
That would be the ultimate goal, I suppose. Just because they loathe us, why should we loathe them? If we loathe someone who loathes us, they in fact control our behaviour. But it’s different, if we loathe them – then, perhaps the problem lies within. That said, staying away is a very good interim step, I reckon.
Its better to accept that as we don’t like everyone, everyone may not like us. Not to hate is good for us also.
To love those who loathe/hate you, I think, for me is a hard task. There are people you meet for the first time and you have negative feelings. You feel this person is not like me and you just can’t like them. There are people you meet for the first time and you are drawn to them. The feeling you have is this person is like me. Therefore to love a person who does loathe you requires some strength that is not given to a multitude of us. Just my two cents
Hello Maasaiboys,
You’ve shared much more than two cents, I reckon.
Like you, I too can’t love all whom I meet. Therefore, I avoid them – period! It’s amazing how one can be in the same room and yet, avoid a person.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
We can’t love whom we dislike, but can at least tolerate them..one day they may understand us.
Very true — and we in turn understand them.
Tolerance is but the first in a flight of steps, each more taxing but ever more rewarding > accommodation > acceptance > companionship > friendship and > love. Of course, love in a broad sense.
Can you love the one you do not know? I mean, you might want good things for them, you might think warmly of them. But can you actually love beyond basically hope and theory?
Very good question – when we apply a very narrow definition of “love”
Another thought provoking post from you, Eric, so early in my morning! 🙂
I also believe that it’s very hard to love those you loathe, but agree with one of your other replies. Carrying a grudge takes so much energy and weighs us down.
It is much easier passing on the love.
I’m not saying I can do this, nor will I say that I haven’t in the past, but the grips of grudges don’t loosen easily!
It is early, so I hope this makes sense!
Sending love and smiles! 🙂
There you go – adjusted it a little.
It makes sense – and I need my tea more than you need your coffee. As you probably saw, I made a bozo of myself with that “two score” – though I am sure you’ll attain that milestone too – two score and four. 🙂
What you said is raw honesty – something of a rarity in many social circles.
But I believe God (whatever our faith) never places burdens we cannot bear nor does he erect mountains in our path that we cannot surmount.
The question: When confronted by such a mountain – do we angle away or overcome it. One might lead us astray, the other keeps us going straight – I reckon.
Peace and luv,
Eric 🙂
Try love, imagine the world created from even just trying.
Absolutely – the more people try love and with more persistence > the higher the chances of success 🙂
By God’a grace ,I have been all the three till now! Hope I continue to stand perfectly for all your lines in future too!
That is wonderful Soumya – and yes, only by God’s Grace can we love so.
Peace and luv,
Eric
“Love your enemies” is hard to do, but so valuable.
That is the ultimate challenge, I reckon, where love is concerned.
is it possible to be more than one at once? or a different one with each passing day or year or…?
Definitely, and in fact I reckon all of us live all three models, collectively and severally, in various times of our lives.
No one is penalised for being one and not the other – as ultimately, any one is far superior to those who only nurture and drown in absolute hate.
I see it more as a staircase with ever challenging obstacles and rewards > start with Self, Family, Friends and it slowly propagates —
Question: How many truly love Self?
I send love to them all, and that love fills me with smiles and hope <3
Lovely Christy B,
Enriching the giver and the recipient – plugging into the ecosystem of revolving and enduring love.
Peace, Eric
Eric, thank you for stopping and liking a post recently. This post reminded me of the wonderful Gandhi quote: “Hold your friends close and your enemies closer.” I look forward to following your eclectic posts.
Take care,
Ivon
Thank you Ivon – for your visit, comment and “follow.” I’ve also ticked to receive your posts.
Oh, so it was Gandhi – thank you. Most people recall it from that Godfather dialogue. I wonder if they gave Gandhi credit for it. But then again, all draw from the same well of wisdom, including Gandhi.
Peace, Eric
You are welcome Eric. That is so true that we all draw from the same well of wisdom.
Everyman … is the only man to be. When we are everyman we will be as we were intended from the beginning. Then watch the world change! Love, David
Truly spoken David – and we can start by being that everyman – every one of us – one drop of success by one, one convert by one.
Peace Bro,
Eric
Great perspective and it does resonate with an earlier post of mine in which I wrote about HOPONOPONO which a way of forgiveness and gratitude.
What could you do to more effectively spread this perspective?
Shakti
Hello Shakti,
Thank you for the visit and your (first) comment on my blog. You are very welcome and this is appreciated.
I don’t have the answer you seek but wish you well.
Peace, Eric
That’s very short but the meaning is so deep and meaningful, Cik, Eric. Thank you so much for sharing this. I don’t know which one I am, I am still learning and far from perfect, I need your helping and guiding hand. 🙂
Dear Mas,
I believe in tossing a pebble or two and marvel the ripples that follow. People are wise enough to draw their own lessons – I am not a preacher to claim to hold any ‘secrets’ or ‘key’.
For those who fear they might not understand, they can read the comments from the many wonderful contributors who share selflessly.
Beyond that if it still clings – then post a question and I shall offer a poor thought or two.
You see, like you I am also searching Mas Subhan and often, I seek within.
Peace, Eric
P/s I hope you are fully recovered.
When I read your article on “Be Nice”, then it click with “one out of three might not see us through the needle’s eye”. Our kind intent may not be easily understood because of their restrictive vision.
God knows how difficult it is for us to love one another unconditionally – so He has put this ongoing task for us. (I think He is getting a kick out of it) Not to select to be any type, but to learn to be all three type of man.
Spot on, Jasey!
You got it 🙂 All three and not merely one or even two. Tough, yes – the vestibule is a needle’s eye – sieves out all but the most deserving.
As to whether the Old Fellow is getting a kick out of it – He does have a sense of humour, I reckon > He created Man 🙂
Loving those who hate us is definitely hard, but it’s even more of a burden to carry a grudge.
Hello Janna,
You are so right – easy is our journey when we set our burdens down and travel light. I think there is a haiku here somewhere and I shall post it as soon as possible and quote your comment 🙂
Peace, Eric
Letting go of your hate is a hard thing to do. It is so engrained in us. If the line between love and hate is so narrow, then the question must be asked. Without our hate, can we love?
Tim
Profound question, Tim.
I am inclined to agree.
My take on your question is > in this world, we need contrasts/opposites. Difficult to imagine that love can be appreciated or even recognised without hate. But then, I am sure some dead guy had left behind a quote that debunks what I just said.
Thank you for the visit and leaving behind such a thought provoking question.
Cheers, Eric
That requires a total transformation of character as it is not natural human nature to love those who betray, injure or hate you.
Very true Ian,
I’ve had some small successes as you probably recall from my post Be Nice > http://wp.me/p1YE83-iT
But just when you think you got it licked, another challenge pulls you under – I remain another ‘human being’ instead of a ‘human doing’ – it is a struggle but we must perservere – every candle lit, helps to illuminate.
I am sure you can share many more stories from your travels in Asia. I’ve already read some truly inspirational ones. We are brought up not to trumpet our successes, but some experiences need retelling. In time, I’m sure you’ll share more.
All good wishes,
Eric