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Editor’s Desk
10
NOV / DEC 2017
I
Healthcare Journal of NEW ORLEANS
Smith Hartley
Chief Editor
editor@healthcarejournalbr.comWhen hate disappears, mis-
ery disappears. You’ll laugh more,
love more, and enjoy life more. It
can all happen with a choice. But,
we all know someone who would
gladly trade their own health just
for the self-destructive dark plea-
sure of hate.
I’m not talking about the media’s
version of hate, which seems more
political, or manufactured. I’m talking about what you know as
real, the kind of hate you feel. If you suffer from the affliction of
too much hate, you may be causing serious problems for your-
self. The first big step to take is to understand who, or what, or
why you hate. Then, consider other options.
For the most recent Super Bowl, I was at a Super Bowl party. I
talked with a guy I like very much and asked him, “Who are you
cheering for”?
“The Atlanta Falcons,” he said immediately.
“Why the Falcons?” I asked.
And he said, “Because I hate Tom Brady so much.”
Of course, I laughed and asked, “Why do you hate a guy who
has so many Super Bowl MVP awards?”
And then he said, “Because he’s also so good-looking”.
The truth made us both laugh.
Hate is very interesting. Many times, hate comes fromflat-out envy.
Many times, hate comes fromwitnessing a behavior we do not under-
stand. Many times, hate comes from a place of fear.
Does hate serve a useful purpose? It certainly puts people into
action. Those running with an emotion of hate, are also running with
an emotion of moral superiority. These emotions often go together.
I’m not sure hate is really the opposite of love. I heard someone say
they thought indifference was the opposite of love. That seems tomake
more sense to me because hate seems like an entirely different thing,
especially since hate usually involves someone you love.
Hate is dislike but with powerful, deep-seated emotions attached
to it.
Hate is also a decision. Bringing mindfulness to the decision helps
to clarify the decision. It helps the person choosing hate, as a decision,
to better understand themselves.
Concerning the healthfulness of hate, research indicates it can often
lead to weakening of the immune system, the ruin of relationships,
loss of sleep, and a troubled mind. It puts a person at risk for much
more serious health complications.
Hate is often acted upon, usually in the formof slander or something
more serious. Hate can have a harmful effect on the person or group
receiving the hate, but haters will likely cause much more damage to
themselves, both physically and through an erosion of spirit.
Be mindful of those selling hate, and avoid being gullible and seduced
by their misery. If you are thinking of accepting some new hate, it may
taste fascinating at first, but then it will begin to destroy you. Wisdom
will help you graciously avoid the offer.
When speaking with patients, it’s sometimes appropriate to ask
them about grudges, jealousies, and focused anger. It’s unlikely you’ll
get an admission, because with grudges, jealousy, and anger, comes
pride. But, let them know that if they can understand their source of
pain and disease, they begin the path to healing.
No one really likes to hate, or be hated. It’s really an odd thing to
do. Peaceful and forgiving people seem to enjoy life so much more.
Please be patient with haters, for they know not what they do. Most
haters want to return to a place of peace. Most importantly, be at
peace yourself.
Hate is bad for
your health.