glo
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I have been thinking recently how we can be fuelled by positive energy (i.e motivated by love and kindness) or by negative energy (i.e motivated by anger and hatred).
Let me tell you a personal story to illustrate what I mean.
When I was very young my father died, and 7 years later my mother remarried. By that time I had idolised my biological father and I hated my stepfather, who – as far as I was concerned – had come to take my father's place in the family!
That hatred for my stepfather grew during my teenage years – really, until I left home.
I remember my hatred and anger giving me a great energy. I seemed to feed off this energy, but at the same time it was very self-destructive. Although I felt very self-righteous and very convinced that I was right and the others wrong, I don't remember ever being very happy during that period of my life.
Now, I grew up and matured and moved on … and my relationship with my stepfather improved, so much so that I have great respect for him now and feel grateful for everything he did for me when I grew up.
I must admit that much of that growing of our relationship only happened after I became a Christian and learned to understand better the importance of forgiveness, love and respect.
I don't think I have ever felt anger and hatred of such intensity since that period in my life. In fact, I would say that hatred is not an emotion I feel anymore at all.
In my experience love and kindness also provide us with energy – an energy that seems to be more joyful and positive, rather than self-destructive and negative.
However, it also seems to me that it is a much gentler and quieter energy, and not as overwhelming and all-consuming as the negative energy I felt before.
I guess part of me is wondering, can the positive energy of love and kindness ever overcome and out-weigh the negative energy which comes from hatred and anger?
I don't just mean inside an individual, but in the world as a whole.
Will love ever triumph over hatred?
Any thoughts?
Let me tell you a personal story to illustrate what I mean.
When I was very young my father died, and 7 years later my mother remarried. By that time I had idolised my biological father and I hated my stepfather, who – as far as I was concerned – had come to take my father's place in the family!
That hatred for my stepfather grew during my teenage years – really, until I left home.
I remember my hatred and anger giving me a great energy. I seemed to feed off this energy, but at the same time it was very self-destructive. Although I felt very self-righteous and very convinced that I was right and the others wrong, I don't remember ever being very happy during that period of my life.
Now, I grew up and matured and moved on … and my relationship with my stepfather improved, so much so that I have great respect for him now and feel grateful for everything he did for me when I grew up.
I must admit that much of that growing of our relationship only happened after I became a Christian and learned to understand better the importance of forgiveness, love and respect.
I don't think I have ever felt anger and hatred of such intensity since that period in my life. In fact, I would say that hatred is not an emotion I feel anymore at all.
In my experience love and kindness also provide us with energy – an energy that seems to be more joyful and positive, rather than self-destructive and negative.
However, it also seems to me that it is a much gentler and quieter energy, and not as overwhelming and all-consuming as the negative energy I felt before.
I guess part of me is wondering, can the positive energy of love and kindness ever overcome and out-weigh the negative energy which comes from hatred and anger?
I don't just mean inside an individual, but in the world as a whole.
Will love ever triumph over hatred?
Any thoughts?
