When Faced with Hate...

...respond in love. Every time. When faced with an opportunity to hate, see it as a chance to spread love instead. Even though your ego may rage within you to retaliate. Resist that temptation. To give in to the rage is to feed the monster that is Hate. This is a battle we all face, and though it's not easy, it is necessary that we win.

"As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos".

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1956)

Injustice is not a person or a group of people. It is a spirit, an attitude based on the evil premise of disrespect and disregard for our fellow man/woman. It's an evil spirit that finds its way into the hearts of people through self-justification, pride, selfishness, ego, insecurity... ignorance. It's not okay. It doesn't suit anyone well, perpetrator or victim. To attack injustice by attacking people is a farce; an evil ploy to bring destruction and distract from the true issue of each individual heart.

Mindsets need to change. Hearts need to change. This can only happen through love.

Do you think of yourself as better than others? Stop it.

Are you a bully? Stop it.

Do you laugh at another's misfortune? Stop it.

Are you motivated by hate and revenge? Stop it.

Do you justify unloving behavior? Stop it.

Are you divisive? Stop it.

These things are not okay. Be better. Seek out Love. Be kind.

Love is the most powerful force we have.

"Unconditional, inclusive love fuels the big life we long to live."

Brian Houston, Live, Love, Lead: Your Best is Yet to Come

Jesus replied:“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Ref: https://mlk.wsu.edu/about-dr-king/famous-quotes/