Bring Back the Love
By 
I awoke one February morning to find two of my friends fighting on my Facebook timeline. The argument lasted for two days, and they didn’t even know each other. I’ve had people tell me they’re afraid to talk openly with their friends because they don’t know where they stand anymore. I’ve seen hateful words traveling across the airways from folks who are usually loving and kind. Even in my Safety Harbor cocoon, I’ve heard people snarling behind each other’s backs and publishing all sorts of mean-spirited rhetoric.
What kind of example are adults setting for today’s youth? Some of the name calling and mudslinging coming from adults today would surely result in suspension, or at least detention if expressed by children in the classroom.
Sticks and stones will break my bones
But words will never hurt me.
A rhyme from our childhood, but it’s a lie. As Maya Angelou said, “Words are things,” and yes, they can be hurtful and damaging, with consequences lasting a lifetime.
Do politics shape our values or do our values shape our politics? Must we treat each other with animosity just because we don’t always agree? I am a firm believer in the inherent goodness of humankind. I believe that love triumphs over hate. But these days, hatred is creeping up and taking more than its market share.
February is traditionally the month of love. What’s happening? It’s not just here, it’s nationwide: divisiveness, animosity, name-calling have reached a sudden high.
We are all guided by some form of higher principle, whether it’s God, spirituality, nature or science. We each have a teaching from our childhood that instructs us how to behave towards one another. It goes something like this: Treat others as you would like to be treated. It involves kindness, understanding, respect . . . and yes, love.
Surely we can find a way to bring back the love.
written by Amy Bryant, Safety Harbor resident blogger
Amy Bryant
Author of You CAN Go Home Again
Amy. I love you. Kindness is free and we should share it freely. And love till time is no more. God and eternity await us. You are such a special person and spirit. Knowing you is a True delight and pleasure. Love to uou always
Thank you, Barbara for your outpouring of love and kindness.
Amy, I so agree with you – again. And I, too, am concerned about the impression this behavior which appears to be EVERYWHERE leaves on our children and grandchildren. We need to stop ourselves, and refuse to participate in these vile discussions. This isn’t easy – even for a previously apolitical person like myself. Thank you, Amy!
Thank you, Gisela, for your concern for our younger generations.
Thanks, Amy. Yours are words that need to be said. The defensiveness and fear that plays out in violence proves how far we have to go. A simple question can erupt a volcano of emotions. Fix ourselves and we fix the problem. But first we must learn to point the finger at ourselves.
Thank you, Patricia, for expanding on the theme.