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

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the wake of such tragic events that have rocked our nation, and our world, to its core, one emotion finds itself manifesting in all of our hearts... anger. And rightfully so. The Orlando tragedy isn't the first time our world has heard the words "mass shooting", and the fact that it has become a common news headline, is sickening. And what common thread do these tragedies all share in common with one another? They are all rooted in hate. Hate crimes, large and small, have become a part of the norm, and that is not okay. Lives lost to these crimes of hatred have become a part of the norm, and that is not okay. Places that were once considered safe, have now become targets for mass killings, and that is not okay. So while we have the right to be angry, we MUST resist the urge to return hatred with hatred. The only way we can separate ourselves from those who commit these unspeakable acts, is by replacing the hate in our hearts with one thing, and one thing only: love.

Regardless of the color of our skin, the country we call home, the religions we practice and the people we chose to love, we must not forget one thing: we are all human. We all have a heart that beats inside of our chests. We all have the power and capability to choose love.

Our country, and our world, must rise up to fight evil, with good, and hate, with love. We must drive out hate, with love. We must show love to others who may not understand what love is. We must teach our children to love, above all else. We must teach ourselves to pursue and promote love, in the midst of darkness. Because at the end of the day, love conquers all.

Recently, I heard a phrase that has been replaying in my mind ever since the Orlando massacre:

"For when we create peace within us, we will also find it around us. Because the inner, creates the outer, always."

So rather than joining together to hate others for what has been done to us, let us join hearts and hands in the pursuit of globally loving one another. It is our duty to choose, and give love in every moment of every day, and to abolish the hate that exists around us. Love illuminates the darkness in the world, and releases the paralyzing grip that hatred holds on life.

So the next time hate finds itself creeping into your heart, choose love. For it is the only path to peace.

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

- 1 Peter 4:8