13 Ways To Love Your Neighbor | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

13 Ways To Love Your Neighbor

Rise above hate!

123
13 Ways To Love Your Neighbor
Magic4Walls

We live in a fallen world where it seems as if hate is thriving more than love. There are wars, injustices, bullying, division, prejudice, discrimination, racism, sexism, violence — you name it. It’s an unending battle.

Call me idealistic, but the only solution that I believe that can fix this is love. Martin Luther King said it best:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

But who are we to show love for?

Our neighbors.

Our neighbor can be a person with a different race, religion, belief, age, gender, sexual orientation and educational background. A neighbor can also be a person from a different social status and political party. In short, a neighbor is anyone or everyone.

Here are 12 ways to love your neighbor:

1) Be Patient

By definition, being patient means, “having or showing the capacity for endurance.” Accept that everyone is different, and bear with one another.

2) Be Kind

Kindness is being altruistic. It is doing positive, uplifting things to your neighbors because you care about their well-being. Extend the good to others.


3) Don’t envy

Be content with what you have now, and learn how to celebrate others’ good achievements in life.


4) Don’t boast

It’s definitely okay to celebrate what you have, but not at the expense of putting your neighbors down. Pride leads to downfall. Learn how to be humble.


5) Don’t be arrogant or rude

Be respectful and considerate of your neighbors. Don’t dishonor them. Many people today would love to “get real,” and that’s great, but you can stay true to yourself without being ill-mannered. Do things to your neighbors that can build them up and not tear them down.


6) Forgive

It's easier said than done, but learn how to forgive. Don't withhold grudges. Let go! Don't grow bitter; be better.


7) Be selfless

Love is self-sacrificing. It is putting others first before yourself.


8) Don’t be easily angered

Keep your temper under control. Getting angry is normal and healthy, but when it is out of place, it can lead to violence and unfavorable results.


9) Don’t delight in wrongdoing

It’s okay to have righteous indignation. Stand up against acts of injustice! Act now, and don’t wait until the situation aggravates.


10) Protect

Safeguard your neighbors from physical, mental and emotional harm despite differences. After all, we’re all humans, and no one is better than the other.


11) Trust

Trust that there’s always a good side in every person. Give a benefit of the doubt, if necessary. Always see the best in people even when they can't see it themselves.


12) Hope

Instead of worrying, hope! Hoping is not disregarding the negative outcomes, but it is being confident that great things can still happen. See the potential in others and circumstances.


13) Persevere

Don’t give up on people; on mankind. Love means enduring the greatest of pains. Love means staying even when things are getting harder because it knows that the reward is worth persevering for.



"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

As a start, replace the word love with your name.

Repeat until you believe it. Repeat until you’re doing it. Repeat until you truly love.

It is also important to mention that love can get really messy at times. Don’t get it twisted. Don’t mistake love for weakness. Love knows how to fight, and it fights until the end.

We were made for such a time as this. Do everything in love, and you’ll notice that the things around you will start to change. Just imagine if everyone starts acting in love, the world will be a much better place. But this will start with us — with you.

Love is more than a feeling; it is a choice and an action. Feelings come and go, but you will always have a choice to love your neighbor.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

12919
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

5679
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4204
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

3695
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments