Hate is a word that has become a flash point in our society and for good reason. As a society, we have become more aware and more sensitive to the damage that hate and expressions of hate can cause to individuals and groups.
But I'm not talking about the type of hate that identifies or harms people.
I am talking about using hate to root things out of your life, to draw lines in the sand on things that you just won't tolerate from yourself. Things that are so damaging and possibly so deeply embedded in your own life that only the fire-in-the-belly, red-in-the eyes intensity of hate will help you attack. They are things that just can't be or have to go. This is not an out of control, emotional outburst that causes more damage. Three factors come to mind when you use this mindset...
First, this is an inward-looking, self-reflection idea. It is demanding that things stay out of your way that will keep you from being the best version of yourself.
Second, there is a predetermined intensity that is directed at something. You know what you don't want and you know exactly the intensity you will use to avoid it or remove it when it shows up in your life.
Third, you have to hunt it. Whatever 'it' is, you have to hunt for it to eliminate it. My wonderful wife has this reaction anytime she sees a bug in our house. She immediately runs to Home Depot and purchases some extreme bug killer. I'm not talking about aerosol cans; I'm talking industrial back pack, long neck wand, and gas masks. She throws that thing on her back and goes on the hunt. The foundation gets sprayed, the garage gets sprayed, the baseboards get sprayed, if the kids and dogs sit still long enough they get sprayed. Why? She hates the idea of bugs in the house. Is it an extreme overreaction? Maybe? Do we have bugs in our house? No. Bug, maybe but never bugs. Ever.
Hate is a high-powered thing but can be very effective when it used to manage things in our lives that we want to eliminate. And bugs. It good for eliminating bugs.
But I'm not talking about the type of hate that identifies or harms people.
I am talking about using hate to root things out of your life, to draw lines in the sand on things that you just won't tolerate from yourself. Things that are so damaging and possibly so deeply embedded in your own life that only the fire-in-the-belly, red-in-the eyes intensity of hate will help you attack. They are things that just can't be or have to go. This is not an out of control, emotional outburst that causes more damage. Three factors come to mind when you use this mindset...
First, this is an inward-looking, self-reflection idea. It is demanding that things stay out of your way that will keep you from being the best version of yourself.
Second, there is a predetermined intensity that is directed at something. You know what you don't want and you know exactly the intensity you will use to avoid it or remove it when it shows up in your life.
Third, you have to hunt it. Whatever 'it' is, you have to hunt for it to eliminate it. My wonderful wife has this reaction anytime she sees a bug in our house. She immediately runs to Home Depot and purchases some extreme bug killer. I'm not talking about aerosol cans; I'm talking industrial back pack, long neck wand, and gas masks. She throws that thing on her back and goes on the hunt. The foundation gets sprayed, the garage gets sprayed, the baseboards get sprayed, if the kids and dogs sit still long enough they get sprayed. Why? She hates the idea of bugs in the house. Is it an extreme overreaction? Maybe? Do we have bugs in our house? No. Bug, maybe but never bugs. Ever.
Hate is a high-powered thing but can be very effective when it used to manage things in our lives that we want to eliminate. And bugs. It good for eliminating bugs.
‘Bite Down and Don’t Let Go’ is a collection of writings on
being intentional about life in a way that produces great persistence. Read
about it more here.
Dr. Chris Hobbs is an educational leader and Director
of Athletics at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. He’s earned a few
degrees and won some awards. He’s happily married to his high school
sweetheart and they have three teen age children. Life is messy and complicated
most of the time. You can follow him on Twitter
for all sorts of inspirational thoughts and good laughs.
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