Love Others

Hello and welcome back to my blog series

10 Things I Would Tell ANYONE

In this one we’re getting awkward and uncomfortable, so buckle up and be a man about it, because I’m suggesting that you freely and fearlessly

#8: Love Others

Why on Earth would I say this? Hasn’t my personal history shown well enough my utter contempt for all mankind, including myself? Yes, yes, I know. But I’ve turned a corner, see? I’ve been through some changes – before you say anything – for the better !

In my upcoming book Atheist. Agnostic. Skeptic. Believer. (shameless plug, details to come), I talk about coming to God and embracing spirituality once and for all. Don’t tune out, I’m not going to proselytize! But this, combined with just living and getting older and all the things, I don’t know, I’m in a humbler place. I’ve finally accepted that people aren’t as bad as I’ve made them out to be in the past. On the contrary, people are all the same, universally, with the same potential for good, evil and all the rest. And I’ll take it a step further: all people are beautiful, wonderful creatures deserving of respect and love.

“Oh my God, man, is this what this blog entry is going to be like?!” Well, yeah, I guess. Let’s start with – groan – the Golden Rule. Right? You very much should  treat others the way you want to be treated. Okay, next! But think about anyone – don’t they have the same potential as anyone else to be wonderful, to do beautiful things, to love you and others, to be a great friend or mentor or confidant, to be something amazing? (I’ve more to say about potential at a later time by the way.) Each and every person has just as much right as you or me to be completely amazing and completely worthy of others’ love.

Now, this paragraph is from the Christian perspective, so skip ahead if you need to. As part of my transformation that I mentioned above, I realized my intrinsic worth through God’s love. If God loves me, truly, deeply, passionately, just as I am and just as he made me, I must be pretty awesome! I am, I’m made by God! But keeping things in perspective, that means each and every person is just like me, with intrinsic and divine value and worthy of not only God’s love, but ours as well. In fact, God tells us to love each other. And that’s the fact, Jack!

When you accept that we are all the same, then you can accept that everyone is worthy of your respect, your kindness, your consideration – in essence, your love. Someone explained to me once, you know, loving others is holding a door open. Being kind. Saying please and thank you. Letting someone in front of you in traffic or the school drop-off line. Paying for the drive-through order behind you. Go ahead and “Pay it forward” in small, medium, or big ways. It’s really rewarding to do so!

We need to be considerate of others; that is, we need to consider them! Put other people into your equations when you are driving, when you are entering a store, when you are working in a maze of cubicles, or whatever it is you are doing. Be aware and considerate of others, and in doing so you are sharing your love with them. And let’s face it, aren’t you and your capacity to love amazing? I mean, c’mon, you put me to shame! Don’t be selfish, spread it around!

Seems a good time to remind you that I’m just making suggestions! In no way do I have all the answers and am I going to tell you what to do. Just sharing my thoughts. By the way, I love you.

“Eww, gross ! I liked the old Rock better.” Well, here we are.

Make it a great day today! And every day! Thanks for reading!

Your friend,

Rock Rockstead is – despite your protests to the contrary – an author, blogger, artist and professional procrastinator. His accomplishments are few but he did write a book (shameless plug). Website and social media links to appear here soon. This is getting weird, just sayin’.