The ‘H’ Word

 Is it Hate?

This morning I worked out at home and did a virtual spin class with an instructor named Mike who is from California.  He ended his class with a little thought about hate, which made me start thinking about the difference between what we say we hate, what we think we hate, and what really hate. 

When I was a kid, I knew my mom did not like the word “hate” and treated it almost like a curse word.  Despite her aversion to the word, I still said it often.  I said I hated liver & onions, cleaning the bathroom, and running the mile in school.  Although not often because of my mom, I’m sure that I also said I hated people when I was angry.

As an adult, I still say ‘hate’, but sparingly, especially about people.  But I think it flies out of my mouth now and then, unfortunately.  I definitely say it about things like grocery shopping and the smell of sweaty sneaker, but rarely about a person.  But after listening to Mike this morning, I am thinking that not only do I think we overuse the word, but also let the thought of hate take too much of our precious time.

Here is why:

The only way that we can truly hate something is if we know either one of two things about it/them, which is all about it/them or just a small part.  Interesting, right?  Think about that for a moment.  Think about what you think you hate.  Now ask yourself how much you know about it/them. 

If we know all and feel that way, hate may be justified for us.  If we only know a small part, what is keep us from learning more?  Perhaps we close ourselves to more information because we are afraid that what we learn could prove us wrong.  Another possibility is that we could be more afraid of our feelings changing, meaning the change within ourselves.  Change it scary!

Whether or not we know everything or just a small part, why do we even let hate occupy space in our minds?  We shouldn’t because that hate space is taking up space that could be occupied by more positive feelings such as love, happiness, and acceptance.  Although that is easier said than done, just being exposed to Mike’s thoughts today made me think about how hate is not worth the energy I sometimes allow it to use of me.  Perhaps my thoughts shared with you will help you find ways to shift some energy away from hateful thoughts as well.

That would certainly be….

                                                                                      -Extraordinary