D. How Thin Is The Line? By: Da1

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

How Thin Is The Line?

By: Da1

I have heard the saying that, ‘there’s a thin line between love and hate’ almost my whole life. There’s a song and a movie that both bear the title. For as long as I can remember, the phrase has never sat well with me. I’ve always thought that if they are that close together, then I’m not sure if I want any parts of it (either love or hate). What I’ve experienced is that people actually live like it’s true. I mean you can’t help but notice the high rate of divorce in our society, or the high number of domestic violence cases, or the large volume of news stories of lovers killing each other (murder-suicide), that you might be lulled into thinking that the saying is true. However I’ve never been one to just accept the norm simply because it’s the norm.

In my challenge against the grain of this world (and its occupants), I feel as though I’ve truly discovered the truth. Now having made that braggadocio statement, I have to qualify it by admitting my imperfection at being consistent in applying this newfound truth in my own life. Most of what causes this ever-thinning line of separation between two widely renowned opposites is selfishness (which leads to things like jealousy, anger, pride, envy, strife, discord, insecurity, competition and judgmentalism). The manipulation that we impose on one another and disguise as love is boundless.

We try to control every aspect of another humans life all in the name of love and then wonder why we have so many arguments, problems and issues. Instead of valuing and appreciating each other for the individuals that we were when we met (and were attracted too, I might add) we try to shape and mold each other into something that pleases us instead of our ‘loved’ (more liked coveted) ones! I know some might say that women are more guilty of this than men, but I differ only in that men and women have different instances of it. Attacking and attempting to eradicate jealousy from our lives can give each of us a good place to start in the reversal of the problem of selfishness. Having a selfless attitude is the goal, but first you have to embrace and admit your selfishness is the first step (sorry for the ‘12 Step’ phraseology, but it could not be helped; there’s no connection).

What’s your opinion or belief… Is there a thin line between love and hate? Or is there an infinite gulf fixed between the two?