Empathy, A Form of Love

Some things are just wrong.
Stealing from people
Lying
Rape
Bullying
Hating someone because they think or vote differently
Hating anyone over race, gender, or politics
 Choosing philosophies over relationships
Trafficking human beings or children
Shooting people
Believing everything you hear without verifying
Mocking people for their religion
And so many other thoughtless deeds
Here’s the thing.  Almost every one of us has someone in our past who prayed for us, covered us with prayers for safety, or wanted us to make better decisions.  We all, even atheists, cry out to someone when an 18-wheeler is headed at us on the Highway.  We pray.  When things get scary or tough, we pray!  We might call it something different but we cry out for help.
When did we get so jaded we can feel actual loathing for people who think, act and believe differently than we do.  Empathy is human. Compassion is human.  Maybe we need heroes right now. And maybe we just need to be kind again.  To love others.  Smile at strangers.  Instead of feeling anger at a homeless person, how about listening to them.  Take them for coffee.  Ask how they would address all these problems.  Ask them what they want or need.
You know what would happen if we put down our pride, our politics, our opinions and our suspicion?  If we looked at everyone as if they mattered?   We might start to love and trust each other again.