It can seem like everywhere we turn these days we see a world that’s consumed by hate and self-loathing. No one is immune. It’s impossibly unavoidable. Its only purpose is to create fear, division, shame, and destruction. It’s illogical and always based on misguided assumptions and agendas. Hate never has a solution and only does us harm. Hate is a mirror in which we see how much we dislike ourselves.

When are we going to see how much of our own destruction comes from our lack of empathy and personal happiness? Why do we continue to hurt ourselves and others? In a time of so much abject evil, hate is the ugliest four-letter word.

As the Happiness Warrior, I believe that words have spirit and what we say and think never disappears. We can choose to ignore these words that will only make us unhappy and learn to use our words with more care. We can make what we say and think have more value, when we choose to live in truth with respect for our spirit and self-expression. Being our authentic selves with conviction and grace.

Or we can succumb to our lowest impulses and allow words of hate and derision to take over our thinking. Crossing the line of rational thought and letting them take up too much space in our minds. We have choices as humans to follow the herd, conform, and disappear in a crowd. We can lose our identity in creating a sense of belonging and be swept away in a sea of disinformation and division.

We know deep down how much words can hurt us and how they can cause us to turn on each other. It’s illogical, incredibly time consuming, and it lowers our vibration. Allowing others with their own desires control our thoughts and outward emotions. We bend and follow, and rage as a collective. It’s seeing the worst of humanity on a daily basis. Numb to the growing devastation of our fragile democracies and civilization. We hide on our screens as keyboard warriors and are programmed to be complacent in public. Fear consuming our consciousness and tricked into thinking or taking action might seem too bold or feel unimportant.

There are many four-letter words in our language that we shrink from and revile with passion. They hurt others with their intentions and create more confusion. They uttered in hateful tones with condescension and derision. These words demonstrate the worst of our impulses and lower vibration. They cause great harm to our self-esteem and self-actualization. They make us feel good for a moment in a burst of endorphins. We carelessly lower ourselves and our potential with a sense of sinister intention.

We can lie to ourselves and say it doesn’t matter, but the truth is always rising. Nothing causes more damage to our souls than when our minds are clouded with hate and dissension. No word or feeling causes us more harm than to hate. Hate is the ugliest word in our language.

STOP THE SLIDE

Most of the time feelings of hate when a seed has been planted by another. Something that causes us to doubt ourselves and feel a moment of confusion. This causes us to question our truths and authenticity. Perhaps we feel that we are more deserving than others for some insane reason. This is the turning point where our retreat is important. Once we cross the line and stop clearly thinking we begin our undoing.

The antithesis of hate is logic and freethinking. Allowing and being happy in the moment. Freeing our minds of the control and agenda of others. Realizing that when we succumb we become pawns in the game, easily sacrificed and forgotten.

Self-awareness and removing the need for external validation is the key to changing our story. Happiness comes from within and should be carefully protected. Happy people have no tolerance for hate in their lives and are able to see the truth more clearly. Hate has no home in their lives and spirit. Bias is a human condition that we can change with our actions.

TEN WAYS TO FIGHT HATE AND RAISE OUR CONSCIOUSNESS

1.       Take action. All actions that we can take can have meaning. It’s a core value and one that serves others. There is no hiding from the fact that silence implies complicity and approval. Apathy is a waste of our lives and implies acceptance. Hate will always grow when it’s unchallenged. Hate is an attack on the health of our communities. There is nothing healthy about our lives when we are divided. A true patriot takes action against hate.

2.       Reach out to allies and gather ideas from everyone who’s impacted and ready to unite. We might have differences in our culture and mannerisms, but there’s a sublime feeling that comes from doing what’s right in a group of like minds. This creates a coalition that can stand up to hate and eradicate it from our lives. Race, religion, and gender identity are no one’s business. We are much more alike than we can always imagine. Respect grows and tolerance provides us wisdom.

3.       Support targets of hate by making sure they know they are heard and seen. Too often we’re encouraged to sweep hate and hate crimes under the rug. Despite such despicable efforts it’s always there to remind us. This is how we open our minds and change our perception. Treat others as you would like to be treated, it’s not that hard!

4.       Speak up and stop hate in its tracks. Most people who are openly hateful lack the character and courage to stand up for their vile beliefs when challenged. They’re operating without any facts or base of knowledge. Show them how weak they are when held up to the light. Most of these bullies become surprisingly docile when the public turns against them.

5.       Educating ourselves and knowing the difference between random acts of hate and carefully orchestrated campaigns helps us to react with truth and comprehension. Exposing their hollow theories and presumptions is how we can change minds and narrow our divisions.

6.       Create alternatives for action. Provide alternatives to hate rallies and stop fueling their rage. Counter this with gatherings of people who seek change and unification. It’s up to each of us to set a better example.

7.       Pressure leaders and politicians to set an example and take active roles to combat hate. This can help us identify the root causes of hate and create a safer environment to live our lives in peace. Know that we can turn incidents of hate with a learning and healing mindset. Leaders can also act quickly and give targets and victims their support.

8.       Stay engaged and don’t become complacent. The best and most effective cure for hate is community. When we’re united we are more understanding and our perspective increases.

9.       Teach acceptance and empathy as a way of life. A lifetime of bias is usually started in our early years at home and in receptive communities. There’s so much we can learn if we have open hearts and minds. How do we better ourselves unless we are continually learning?

10.   Too much hate comes from what we see in ourselves? Self-acceptance is a fundamental decision that helps us embrace who we are and live in authenticity. Acknowledgement of our innate prejudice and limiting beliefs is the first start to achieving self-awareness. It might be scary or stir up suppressed emotions, but the end result is learning to love ourselves for who we are. Love for others is the intentional bonus.

One thing we can all agree on, it’s up to us as individuals to stand up to hate and eradicate it from our lives. United together we are better than hate and know that we deserve better lives. Only then can we begin to fully enjoy our lives and fulfill our dreams. All humans deserve to be happy and live their lives without the need to live for validation from others. Hate is a curse that we can conquer if we believe in our right to be free and prosper. Each of us can do our part to make hate smaller and disappear from our consciousness. Say it aloud and know that your message is heard. What we do today in the present is all that matters. Aligned in our mission to root out hate, vile acts, and evil intent. Never silent or turning a blind eye, Happiness Warriors united with a common cause to root out hate and evil from our lives!

Eric North

IG  @TheHappinessWarrior1
www.thehappinesswarrior1.com