If you feel like you're here to heal, not harm, read this poem. Love, not hate. Because loving yourself and loving each other is kind of the same thing. And the way you love in the face of what's unloving makes all the difference in the world.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Let’s talk about what we love more than what we hate, because when we hate something, we chain ourselves to it.

Love Not Hate

This love is what you need.

It can drown you,

It can cleanse you,

It is deep enough to save you.

It can break you,

It can make you,

It is strong enough to recreate you.

It can wipe away your sorrow,

It can give you tears to borrow,

It is going to follow you.

It can guide you,

It can define you,

It must become alive in you.

This bitterness can make you cold,

Or it can make you bold.

It can steal your sweetness,

Or it can soften the way you exist.

In its presence,

You will win

Or you will learn.

You can choose to burn,

Or you can decide to love away sin.

This bitterness is nothing

Until you make it something.

You can become the bitterness

And live in hell.

You can find a new way

To be at ease

In your own shell.

You can hate,

Or you can love.

You can drown in sorrow.

You can roll over

And look at what’s above.

This bitterness is just

What you decide it must be.

Reach up to the ceiling

Or down in the dirt.

Forgive for healing.

Give away the love

That would melt away all the hurt.

See the hope on the wings

Of the bird that still sings.

Hear the song of the wind

That still whispers as a friend.

Feel the comfort in each other,

In your sister and your brother,

Who would stand by your side

In hell or high tide.

This bitterness cannot stay

Where hate has no place.

The bitterness you see

Cannot survive a loving view.

The bitterness you hear

Cannot make it through

The voice of compassion.

The bitterness you feel

Cannot live long in your heart

When forgiveness takes action.

The bitterness of this world

Is not a part of your soul.

And your soul knows the truth

That the bitterness doesn’t know.

And the truth is that loving each other

Is the only way home.

There is nothing to take,

There is nothing to lend,

And only a grateful heart can make that true.

There is no enemy,

There is no friend,

And only forgiveness can make that happen.

Only love,

Not hate,

Can make this world a better place.

. . .

Tell me:

Which part of this poem is your favorite?

Tell me in the comments. I read every single one, and I’d love to know!

My brother said: Love each other. Love yourself.

With love,

Jen

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P.S. Wake up with joy, hope, and purpose beating in your heart every single morning. Get my book Morning Affirmations to help you feel, and live, the way *you* want to. No matter what you see on TV. So you can contribute to the world you *want* to see.