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Apr 17, 2017
"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." --Nelson Mandela
Love Your Enemies. What Does It Mean? Can It Be Done?
Love comes in a variety of forms. We can love our families, our friends, our work, our home... but have we been able to fully embrace the possibility of loving our enemies? Here Benedictine monk Brother David Steindl-Rast translates this idealistic-sounding notion into a real world, every day context. Brother David proposes that so long as we have rigid convictions, we make ourselves 'enemies' of those who oppose them, whether it be a long standing disagreement, or brief ill-feelings. Brother David redefines what it means to love, allowing the expression of compassion and respect to be our anchor for coming back to a loving stance even with those who oppose us. This illuminating article shares ways we can cultivate this approach in our own lives.
BE THE CHANGE
The next time you feel a sense of friction between yourself and someone else, take a moment to consider that there are always things you can't see about the other person. Reflect on the fact that their perspectives and personality have been shaped by many forces. Allow yourself to respect their reality, whilst being aware that differs to your own.
