We'reOkay

Hate.  I have struggled often with the word in the last decade or so of my life: I remember being 11 years old and encountering hate in my heart for the first time. Even then, I did not like it. I saw it as a consuming, angry passion that drove you to say and do things that you might mean, but ultimately probably should not have acted upon. I still see hate that way. As an Urban Studies major in college, I recognized hate as the impetus or underlying foundation for many of the upsetting social issues I studied and would never, ever like to understand. I adamantly stand against any forms of hate and bigotry which seek to hurt people as a means of attempting to lessen another's position in the world. Hate is divisive and destructive in more ways than one. There are many forms of hate, as there are love. I think about people who have been hurt by others in the vilest of ways -- mothers and fathers whose children were taken by negligent individuals, women and men who were taken...

About two or three months ago, a friend of mine was going through a break-up.  They were a cute couple, and she was my close friend, he, my ex's best friend. She was devastated but, she no longer wanted to be in a relationship in which she felt limited. I gave her the best advice I could one night, sighting lessons from my own relationship, one that had not yet ended. I sent a list of ways to cope, move on, forgive herself. It has been an entire month since I parted ways with my ex. A MONTH. Where has the time gone. I feel a little stronger everyday. I am learning to lean and to lean deep into what is going on around me. Last night, I was going through my phone and I found the list. And there it was: cogent, genuine lessons from right inside me. I did not know how refreshing it was to know that there was truth within, however limited it may feel now. Today, I'm sharing that list with you. I hope it helps you through any trial you may be facing. Please share your opinions...