Believe me when I say that I have never, ever hated anyone in my entire life. Sure, there’s lots of people I don’t like much and I have good reason to harbour negative feelings against them but to wish ill in their lives, is something I am not capable of. To me, ‘hate’ does not make any sense! There is no pay-off to hating others! Hate is destructive! Let us vow to renounce hatred.
It is a sure thing that in my dark times of addiction, I was reckless and often unpredictable. As broken as I was, I was never mean-spirited. Certainly, I never set out to be cruel or abusive. Addiction though, plays with your mind, your heart and soul. Wrongs are committed when our lives are only focused on the next party or booze-up. It’s all behind me now and I am grateful.
I have often told young people, “If you haven’t had your heart broken yet, well I’m here to tell you that one day, it’s going to happen. No human being in this world will live out their lives without experiencing heartbreak. I am telling you now that when it happens, you can recover from it. Place your trust in overcoming heartbreak in your spiritual beliefs, whatever those are, wrap them around your aching heart and soon, all will be well.” How spiritually foolish they are, those people who embrace hatred. How spiritually pathetic their lives must be. Nothing good will ever come from one heart hating another heart.
I was in a restaurant in Aylmer, Québec years ago. The dining area faced a large picture window. Outside I saw an elderly woman, perhaps 80 years of age, trip and fall to the pavement. A table in the restaurant had several young people sitting at it. They saw what had just happened and broke out into loud laughter. People going by rushed to help the old woman to her feet. She was OK, thank goodness!
Why are people finding humour in someone else’s misfortune? It brings sadness to my heart when I witness it. I don’t understand that kind of mentality. None of my family members would ever laugh because of another human being’s suffering. I guess it all boils down to how a person was raised. Who were their role models? Who were their mentors?
Today, I have established the ability to ‘walk a mile’ in someone else’s moccasins, no matter the size the footwear is. I have learned that emotional pain is the greatest pain a human being can ever experience. No torture device, no matter how it can break bones or cripple the body will ever hurt more than the pain felt when the heart is broken.
I know that I have enemies! There is no such thing as an ‘activist’ who is enemy-free. To those out there who do not like me, know this, I will never wish bad things to come your way. I will never hope for disasters to befall you. As a human rights activist, I will defend your rights with the same vigour as I defend those of my loved ones. I try hard to be honourable, every hour of my day. I do so because I am a human being!
Keep the Circle Strong,
South Wind (Albert Dumont)
