You have to make your enemy your friend

 Nelson Mandela said those words and he lived by those words because he saw the bigger picture for the benefit of humanity. 

It is not necessary to love everyone but it is important not to hate anyone.  There is a huge difference between the two and likewise a huge divide that has caused much bloodshed in the world. 

We live in such a litigious society where we are always waiting to harm those who have harmed us but in the end there are no winners.  People hurt people but it doesn’t have to be that way.  We can change and we can forgive if we really want to.  As I see it, the greatest problem is our unwillingness to forgive.

As Ann Landers often said, "hate is like an acid. It damages the vessel in which it is stored, and destroys the vessel on which it is poured."

Our strong desire and urges to retaliate on those who have injured us has been the major cause of conflict in the world.  We have an insatiable appetite for getting even, holding grudges and seeking revenge.  I can speak from my own life experiences.  I have been injured often, belittled and embarrassed in my youth and abused by those who were supposed to love me.  Even though I felt anger and resentful at different times, I never allowed those emotions to hold me hostage. 

Pain and isolation are frequent feelings that occur but if you can learn how to work through those feelings and remove them from your energy field, you will most definitely live a happier and healthier life.

Anger and resentment beget anger and resentment.  Those are emotions I do not want to indulge in.  Rather, I believe that when I shift gears, so to speak, change my attitude and remove from my environment those who have that negative behavior and effect on me, I feel much—much better. 

A helpful hint—I surround myself with and in nature.  For me, it is the most nurturing tool that actually feeds my soul, heals my body and brings me inner peace.  Each one of us must find the release that suits us and then consciously use it often.

Nelson Mandela has continually been a source of inspiration and curiosity to millions of people because of his courage, strength and ability to win the hearts of most people by his approach and enthusiasm for securing peace for all peoples.

He absolutely reminds each one of us to the fact that one person at a time, we can make a difference in the world.  I hope you will join me to commit to make this part of your legacy.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. –Nelson Mandela

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies. –Martin Luther King, Jr.

  

Joan Marie Ambrose

Author, Creative Writer, Motivational Speaker