Friday, September 23, 2016

In Case You've Forgotten: 16 Traits of Love


After watching a evening of television news and commentary, I concluded there has to be a better way to deal with conflict than instigation and retaliation.

There has to be.

From childhood, I was taught "All you need is love," yet I noticed few people using it to settle disputes. When I asked friends and teachers why, the answer was, "We're afraid."

Anyone who has lived through puberty knows that feeling.

But let's be honest, being afraid of love is far different than we've been witnessing the past few weeks. Instead of being afraid of love, people demonize it, adopting anger, hate, fear, and intimidation as fruitless remedies to the antagonism that dominates the media, populace, and highways.

It's like nobody has ever heard or read the word love before.

So, in a recent Instagram campaign, I offered  the following synopsis of the thirteenth  chapter of the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians with slight revision and no commentary. Given this week's violence and rhetoric, I offer the list again...with a few observations for the doubtful:

Love...
  1. ...is patient. Breathe! The yoga instructors emphasize the most basic rule of life for a reason.
  2. ...is kind. Say "Good morning." Open the door for somebody on crutches with an armload of Pampers, artichokes, and hamster treats. Everybody feels better.
  3. ...is not envious. Want what you have and let other people have their own.
  4. ...does not brag. It doesn't need to.
  5. ...is not puffed up. Being full of yourself means you need to go on a diet.
  6. ...is not rude. Sinking to insults only brings yourself down.
  7. ...is not self-serving. Looking out for Number One is a sure way of becoming the Only One. As Three Dog Night sang, "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do."
  8. ...is not easily angered. Anger begets anger, high blood pressure, purple veins and uncontrollable spittle.
  9. ...is not resentful. Some people are just... Never mind. Let it go.
  10. ...is not glad about injustice. "Justice for all" is a goal, not a barrier. 
  11. ...rejoices in truth. Not because one hears it so seldom, but because it lifts the weight of falsehood.
  12. ...bears all things. Even laughing snorts and polka versions of "Born in the USA."
  13. ...believes all things. "All things" does not include the moon is made of green cheese, the appropriateness of wearing plaid pants with a flowered shirt, or the superiority of brussels sprouts to M&Ms.
  14. ...hopes all things. Miracles happen. Really.
  15. ...endures all things. Bad things also happen, or as someone once said, "Feces eventuates." Get through them.
  16. ...is endless. Thank goodness!
Okay, that may not be exactly what Paul had in mind, but it beats the heck out of the guck spit out by the talking heads, feuding politicians, and malicious vandals. When it comes to choosing leader of opinion, countries, and life, LOVE WINS!

It's the better way.