We spoke at the previous article about the cruelty and difficulty of life, when it loses all its positive features. However we should look into ourselves first to realize the cause of this change. Despite all life frustrations which we should evade, goodness and love are still filling the hearts. There are still helping hands that support people and help them achieve their happiness. Life with no love or friendship is a destructive death. As for seeding love, one must realize his positive role in life and towards others, He should never wait for their love, but rather he should seed love himself in their hearts. I recall a story recounted by a hugely loved person on a wide range you cannot imagine, whether by his colleagues, employees, employers and every person he dealt with no exception.
When he was asked about the reason of this huge love that fills the hearts for him, he answered with his usual simplicity and smile, I have learnt a lesson since my childhood by mother, she took me one day to a valley and asked me to say in the loudest voice I have, “I love you”. Shortly these words were echoed, “I love you”. My mother asked me to say “I hate you” loudly too. So I obeyed her and said these words in a loud voice. It was just short moments then I listened to the eco of my voice hitting the all sides of the valley. Mom looked at me saying, “Have you understood the lesson?” I answered, “I could not figure it out yet”. She said, “What happened when you said I love you?”
I said, “I heard the echo of the same words” then she continued, “What about I hate you?” I answered, “I heard the same voice echoing after a while”
She then said, “This is life, my son. The echo of what people do or say is the result of what you said or did. So if you want to hear that others love you, you should take the initiative of offering this love to them in word or actions. Hence, the echo of your love will come back to you.” Since this moment I learnt one of the greatest lessons of life. I started to offer love to everyone. At the end of this story I recalled the greatest lesson our Lord Jesus Christ has taught us, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Some may find that they tried to offer love, but it was met by hurt which a recurrent issue. But we must realize some simple facts which are: love needs wisdom, honesty and truth as they also need to understand that we are all humans and we all err .But let us trust that the end will always be good .Do not let the nature of others change your nature.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
