THE BEAUTY OF LOVE

One of the distinguishing features of the human person is his/her ability to accommodate each other. This affirms the age long maxim that holds that “no man is an Island”.  The sense of accommodating a fellow invariably connotes a deep acceptance and appreciation of our existence. It is therefore of prime importance to suggest that the reality of man goes with the act of accommodating each other. Accommodating each other then, should not be a type that is blinded by prejudices and chauvinisms. The acceptance of a stranger into a society fills the stranger with a yawning sense of belonging and assures him/her of security. In contrast, a society in which one is not welcomed is tantamount to a hell in a prison cell unless the person evacuates the place.

As a linkage to the initial assumption made above, the nature of the human person affords him the practice of showing love and acceptance of one another which is obviously seen in the way people act sometimes. But in our present Society and Communities, it seems this graceful and harmonious human quality is far eroding to extinction. The heyday of Community living, Ethnic and National unity can no longer be traced. Due to this strange-bed fellow relationship prevailing in our Society today, people no longer trust their neighbors and the danger of insecurity is at its peak.

Apparently, it is not the case that there are no virtuous persons again; if not, the effort committed to peruse at this piece remains superficial. Yet, there is the need to effect people by our progressive actions towards them. We are all wounded persons, reason being that we have all experienced injuries inflicted by various sources in the course of our living. The natural proclivity would be to pay-back with either equal measures or in excess to the abhorrence received from another party. Going by this, the hurt then becomes excruciating and unbearable and the idea of vengeance and retaliation gains greater intensity.

As humans, we have to go beyond the instinctive reaction to retaliate and engage our thoughts to ruminate and make good and positive decisions. Rising above hate does not suggest a physical combat, but I would say that it has to do with finding the strength to transcend the negative emotions which afflict us and instead opt for kindheartedness and love. There are fortunes in every person; and these riches can only be exhumed out of them if we move closer to them. Making new friends and sustaining old friends can help to expose these hidden treasures in people. Let us therefore expunge from our minds the feelings of hatred towards others and embrace them with sincere love. This is because the basis of most prolonged despondency in most persons is their inability to love.

KENNEDY UKACHI.