Friends,

I am not here to talk about politics with you -- I am here to discuss something much, much bigger than that. Please, hear me out; I promise you, it won't take long.

This week has been crazy, and I have seen more hateful and uncalled for things on social media than I have seen in a long time. I am truly disheartened by the fact that so many people can have so many cruel things to say to one another. I am saddened by the fact that so many people are choosing to hate other people just because they don't agree with them and what they believe. So, today, I am sitting down and writing you all this message from the bottom of my heart:

No one can take away one's ability to love. No one can tell anyone they must hate someone else. No one was born with hatred in their heart. People choose to hate; people choose to say "they are different from me, and I hate them for it." Did God not say, "Love thy neighbor"? Did God not ask us all to love one another, in spite of any differences we may have? This world is a beautiful place full of so many people from so many different backgrounds, and each and every one, no matter their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, is as deserving of love as the next.

Hate fixes nothing and destroys everything. Hate solves no problems, it only creates them. Hate fuels a lot of fires, but puts out none. Hate is a powerful driving force, but you know what? Love is even more powerful, and we need that power now more than ever. Love is eternal; with love, we can build bridges. With love, we can move mountains. With love, we can accomplish anything we want as long as we are willing to see past each other's differences and come together as a united group of people.

The sun still rises and sets each and every day. Birds are still singing. Children are still being born. Friends are still being made. Artists are out there making art to give people inspiration and hope. Musicians are out there making music to mend people's hearts and souls when nothing else can. Doctors are out there saving lives. Teachers are out there arming the next generation with valuable knowledge. Students are out there trying to become better and more educated for themselves and their families. People are out there, every day, fighting for what they believe in and trying to make the world a better place for everyone to live in.

There are so many wonderful things about this world and about this life. Despite what you may think and what others may tell you, there is still a lot of love to go around. Never give in to hatred.

Choose love. Always.