Love thine enemy

It is super hard to be nice to people who are mean to us. Ask any person who works in customer service or retail and they will tell you so, since they are expected to be friendly even as anger and vitriol and snide comments are thrown their way. Between the entitlement stories and the news of atrocities committed around the world, it’s hard to realize that the ideas of love, light, magic, hope, peace and joy aren’t only ours to share with our friends. If we only share our light, our love, and our magic with those who can see it and who share theirs as well, what would be the point? How can this world become a better place if we become insular to the point that we only share what we have with those whose presence we enjoy?

“Love thine enemy” is a commandment that is given by a few religions. Every religion has some notion of treating all people with respect and forgiveness as needed. Most don’t say love a person who may hate you like you do a close friend, but the idea of recognizing that each person is a human being worthy of love is echoed as a sentiment regardless.

Love thine enemies. But what does that mean?

It’s not saying surround oneself with those whom might not vibe…. but we do live in a world where all walks of life flow, where everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, and where different stories are taking place. Not everyone is going to agree or get along, for this is not a perfect world. We are bound to rub shoulders with those we would rather not, and must learn to treat them as we would like to be treated, even if we cannot stand them. It’s recognizing that spark in them, even if we don’t want to see it.

It’s also not saying we should continue to put ourselves out to be victimized over and over again. We are allowed to set boundaries and then head off behaviors we don’t like in others. But wishing evil on others or seeking revenge or retribution just weighs us down as well. It hides our sparkle. It dims our light. It destroys our own magic and becomes a dark chapter in our own written stories.

But it is saying we should try to forgive those who have wronged us, even as we set the boundaries and maybe try to avoid them.

There are stories of this all around us. I recently heard the story of a black man and blues musician by the name of Daryl Davis who befriends KKK members and has convinced hundreds of them to give up their hatred. Dutch writer Corrie ten Boom once wrote a reflection about forgiving a guard from the concentration camp at which her sister had died and she was imprisoned. After the 100 days of the Rwandan genocide in 1994, many survivors had to continue to live amongst the perpetrators, some their own family members. Reconciliation projects were started, often by the victims of the genocide, to help restore the ideologies of peace, justice and healing in the country. Now, there are many stories of how the ones who committed the heinous acts are now friends with those against whom the atrocities were committed.

Stories told. Enemies became friends at times. For others, weights were finally removed from people’s hearts and minds. Even those who cannot forgive find the courage to treat others with respect due, hoping that the best can be done, that whatever weighs them down can be resolved even as they keep their distance.

“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.”

Mother Theresa

If we promote hatred and revenge, we fall into a pit of despair. But if we continue to show the magic of our stories, recognizing that we can love others even as they dislike us, and sparkling bright….. we can help make the world a brighter place and learn to lift ourselves up.

Love thine enemies.

Stay magical, dear friends.

Write your own story.

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