Love & Forgiveness

Why do we hurt the ones we love?

It's an ironic thought. Traditionally, love breaks down all barriers and emerges with understanding and patience. What happens when tradition no longer applies?

Let's face it, we no longer live in a traditional world. As stated in Shaolin Soccer, "The skies are filled with airplanes, the streets are teaming with laptops..." We no longer see rickshaw boys or horse-drawn carriages...well, maybe in tourist areas...

I'm going off on a tangent again...

I believe that love breaks through everything. Take a look on TV and what do you see? Millions around the world pouring out their love to help those in S.E. Asia. Why do we do this? Because human nature is good (not bad), and we a natural drive to love and help our fellow man.

So why do we often hurt the ones we love? Is it because, if they "love" us back, we take them for granted? Maybe we claim to love and understand them, when in reality, WE DON'T. There's the rub. Be careful what you say, friend. You may end up regretting it.

Don't claim to understand something when you really don't; it can lead to disaster. Don't try to justifiy yourself when you're clearly wrong. Don't apologize.

To prevent a situation where anger may be a byproduct, listen carefully to the other person, especially their tone of voice. Words are but 1% of human communication. Tone and body language, facial movements, and eyes are the rest. Don't insist on something that will harm the relationship. Always think twice before diving into your selfish needs. Don't patronize.

When one says, "It's a really sensitive subject..." don't continue the conversation. Move onto something else, like boats or birds. Do not provoke the other person into a rage through your stuborness which will, in the end, destroy everything.

Forgive wisely. Don't say you forgive someone unless you are sure that you can put what they did to you behind you...forever. Forgive and forget.