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.
