Five Things
I bet you think that this is going to be one of those annoying "Five Things That Really Chap My Ass" kind of lists, but it isn't. This is meant to be about negative energy and prioritization.
I was having a conversation with my wife yesterday, and we got to talking about an upcoming fundraising event and how great it would be if we could get our local US Representative to make an appearance. But one of the other event organizers stated uncategorically "I HATE that woman." So, that was the end of that discussion.
Not that our Representative would have been available anyway.
My wife's response was one of bafflement over that response. Why would anyone HATE a representative? Sure, you can disagree with her politics. But HATE? Seems awful strong.
I mean HATE carries a pretty nasty connotation in my mind -- HATE means that you would enjoy seeing harm come to whatever it is that is the target of your hate. Perhaps its death would be enjoyable?
So, as Mrs. P postulated, assume that the rules state that you can only hate five things. Each time you are compelled to say out loud "I HATE that ...", how great would it be if you could evaluate that and say "If I can only hate five things, would that be on the list?"
I hate brussel sprouts. That is to say, I will not eat them. I cannot endure the flavor or the texture. But is "hate" really the right word? No. Not really. It's off the list.
I hate child abuse. Of any kind. Does that mean I would like to see harm come to child abuse? That I would like to see Child Abuse suffer a painful death? Would I eat popcorn while watching it die? ... Yes. Yes I would. It stays on the list.
Etc.
I don't want to get preachy or anything, and for you maybe five is too small of a number, but how great would it be if there really were a practical limit on the amount of hate a person could have? How much better would this world be if the word hate, and hate actions, and hate crimes, were limited by some unknown natural law?
Oddly, I think that one of the things that would make my list of things that I hate would be Hate itself. Not sure what to do with that.
7 splash(es):
I used to hate brussel sprouts also, until I started roasting them with a little olive oil and fresh thyme.Gives them all whole new flavor. Now they are one of my favorites!!
#1
This is good. This class I'm in applies a similar rule to the word 'love'. It's powerful. Rather than using 'love' cheaply by saying "I LOVE that hat!" we should say 'like'. Then 'love' is held for those moments when it's really important and meaningful, like "I love you" or "I love it when you do that." etc. I like this post. :)
I really 'dislike' the term 'hate'. And it really bothers me when people throw it out there, even when they are joking: "I hate you, you are so skinny", "I hate you, you got that job and I didn't"...and so on. Ususally, when someone uses that word, I automatically assume that they are very immature.
Unless they are speaking of child abuse and brussels sprouts, which I happen to love, er, thoroughly enjoy (brussels sprouts, not child abuse).
I'm with Philly. Totally love roasted 'sprouts now, and used to despise them when my mom boiled them.
Awesome post,congrats for being secure enough on your blog to highlight your wife's intelligence and sensitivity.
If we could only be allowed to hate 5 things (types of food and music will not make the list) and we gave that list power, we'd be an awesome world!
Just my opinion.
Too hard.
I'm on the fence about hate. Yes, hate can induce criminal and heinous acts. Yet, I think it's a legitimate human emotion. Hate of certain things is certainly warranted. Like you said, hate of child abuse. People, in general, didn't always hate child abuse. But most do now and I'm glad about that. Hate can be destructive or productive. Anyway, your post was good. It certainly got me thinking.
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