I remember an incident when I was in first or second grade. A new girl had come to school. Her clothes were old. Her hair was an unruly brown. What made her stand out the most, however, was the eye patch she was forced to wear because one of her eyes was "lazy". In those days, it was thought that using the "lazy" eye would strengthen it so they would cover the stronger eye up with a patch. She sat huddled by the wall of the school at recess time while several other children stood around her. As I approached, I could hear what the other children were saying that made the girl huddle over. They were picking on her, calling her names.
A fierce rage came over me as I watched the other girl sink lower into herself. I could feel her terrible hurt. I also felt the need to show the bullies what it felt like to be bullied so they would stop. I called each one of them out, pointing out obvious flaws. I also pointed out how awful they now felt and that was what they were creating for the new girl. They stopped and walked away. I did what I could to comfort the girl before I left her with a smile on her face.
I was unusually blessed in my early life to have parents and a church community that showed unconditional love to everyone. Visitors and new people that arrived at church were always greeted and talked to, regardless of what they looked like or who they were. They may have arrived as strangers, but they always left as friends. I learned early on that everyone has something good about them that can't always been seen on the outside. I was also blessed to be a fairly cute and outgoing child, so I could get away with bullying the bullies with no ill effects upon myself.
There will always be people who come into your life who are different. They may be dirty or ugly or sick. They may be so angry at the world that the only actions they take are to attack. Often the first thing we want to do is run away from them.
And that is the very thing we need to avoid doing. Running away from problems will not make them go away. They continue to follow you around, even if the exact people and situations change. Dealing with the problem then and there is the solution. Unconditional love can be our tool!!!
Unconditional love says, "It doesn't matter who you are, what you have done or even what you are doing." It continues to love without limits. Unconditional love is one of the most powerful states to be in. It invades without destroying. It breaks down barriers. It softens those things it comes into contact with, allowing them to open up and eventually become love. Unconditional love does not always work quickly, but it always works.
Unconditional love sees past the ugly. It sees past the pain and anger and aggression. It sees deep down to the BEing within and recognizes the true value and worth inside. Unconditional love is the only thing that can effectively counter all the hate and violence that fills our world.
Now more then ever, we are required to BE unconditional love in the world. It is the only thing that can truly save the planet.
~CSE
A fierce rage came over me as I watched the other girl sink lower into herself. I could feel her terrible hurt. I also felt the need to show the bullies what it felt like to be bullied so they would stop. I called each one of them out, pointing out obvious flaws. I also pointed out how awful they now felt and that was what they were creating for the new girl. They stopped and walked away. I did what I could to comfort the girl before I left her with a smile on her face.
I was unusually blessed in my early life to have parents and a church community that showed unconditional love to everyone. Visitors and new people that arrived at church were always greeted and talked to, regardless of what they looked like or who they were. They may have arrived as strangers, but they always left as friends. I learned early on that everyone has something good about them that can't always been seen on the outside. I was also blessed to be a fairly cute and outgoing child, so I could get away with bullying the bullies with no ill effects upon myself.
There will always be people who come into your life who are different. They may be dirty or ugly or sick. They may be so angry at the world that the only actions they take are to attack. Often the first thing we want to do is run away from them.
And that is the very thing we need to avoid doing. Running away from problems will not make them go away. They continue to follow you around, even if the exact people and situations change. Dealing with the problem then and there is the solution. Unconditional love can be our tool!!!
Unconditional love says, "It doesn't matter who you are, what you have done or even what you are doing." It continues to love without limits. Unconditional love is one of the most powerful states to be in. It invades without destroying. It breaks down barriers. It softens those things it comes into contact with, allowing them to open up and eventually become love. Unconditional love does not always work quickly, but it always works.
Unconditional love sees past the ugly. It sees past the pain and anger and aggression. It sees deep down to the BEing within and recognizes the true value and worth inside. Unconditional love is the only thing that can effectively counter all the hate and violence that fills our world.
Now more then ever, we are required to BE unconditional love in the world. It is the only thing that can truly save the planet.
~CSE
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