Yup, been there, done that, been labeled as a hater for my efforts. Oh well.
Woodrow Wilson once said something I deeply respect, though I've been unable to find the exact quote in recent years.
To paraphrase, he said that to approach with fear and hatred is to approach from a position of inherent weakness, which is every bit as true for nations as it is for individuals.
Whereas to approach with love and trust is to approach from a position of inherent strength, as love and trust are the antidote for fear and hatred.
My parents taught my sisters and me to accept others as they presented themselves without judgment, and while offering our love and trust.
Did we get slammed for our efforts? In my case, very rarely. Far more often, when I've offered my trust, people have risen to the occasion and proven worthy of it. And, whether voiced or not, they have recognized the strength behind it.
Some people are just going to label, despite all evidence to the contrary. We can only hope that they will eventually open their eyes and wise up, seeing the reality before them.
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That sounds beautiful. I am glad your parents tought you to be kind. That seems to be the hardest thing
Happily it's habitual. All the unkindness and hatefulness we're seeing exploding all around us is completely foreign to me.
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