So what does it really mean to "love thy neighbor"?
Well, I am not the religious type, but I do think that the basic values that most religions hold are good ones. They promote kindness, generosity, love, compassion, hope, and empathy (among other things).
But in the past year (particularly during the election season) this one has resonated with me hard. I suppose it is certainly open to interpretation.
To me, this means loving people despite the things you might not like about them. No, I don't mean allowing people to treat you like garbage or hurt you intentionally. I don't mean allowing a "friend" to talk down to you like you are some small insect they find repulsive. Not any of that. It's important to set boundaries, of course.
What it means to me personally is that there are a lot of people on this teeny planet that I care for deeply. I may not know them well or hang with them on a daily basis, but no matter. They still hold a place in my heart regardless. Why? Because they are amazing people. They are kind, generous, fun, trustworthy, passionate, loyal, wild, caring, compassionate, helpful,...the list goes on. And in the end, those are the things that really matter. Those are the traits in a human that I appreciate. Sure they might have different political or religious beliefs than I do, but that doesn't make them less important as a human, nor does it make them ineligible for my list of people to love and care about.
So just let that sink in a bit. Think about it.
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