Unrelenting Love Despite Everything

Hello and welcome to another article by lungfish. This one is a recommendation, which you can take or leave, as to how human beings should approach life.

First of all, I'm sure you have read the title and thought, "But lungfish, you're the meanest guy I know!" OK, that is a fair criticism. I ask however that you give me a chance!

For some of you, this title might seem very Christian. Or perhaps, effeminate... or hippie nonsense. I assure you, I recoil in the same way when I hear that word. It's so over-used! Many people are trying to define it in different ways. Well, I will explain what I mean.

This concept found in the title is the true essence of all hope. It's the belief that no matter how bad things get, some magical intervention (divine?) will come and save us. It won't only save us but everyone else, and give the best possible ending. This is the dream we all wish for.

With this ideal vision in mind, I have come up with a set of three principles which can help actualize it. They are as follows:

Mercy: This is the notion that we should forgive everyone else for their wrongdoings. It doesn't matter how bad what they did is. It also doesn't matter if they apologize or even recognize their error. The only way to avoid bitterness is to absolve people of their misdeeds. This is a continual process which must be remembered every time that we are tempted towards hatred. People are driven to do what they will do, and nothing can stop it. They are filled with ideology and confusion. They are traumatized and lashing out. It must be done universally with the only exception being ourselves. We cannot be merciful towards ourselves because it is unbecoming of a person to enable their own bad behaviors.
Atonement: Here we have the true work of life. We seek to correct our misdeeds. We pray for the strength to do better. We neither ask for nor accept mercy. This applies to all facets of life: the injuries we inflict upon others, and the injuries we inflict upon ourselves. All progress whether in terms of health, business, family, romance, or politics will come from atonement. This is not guilt, and it certainly is not self-hatred. This is merely the will and action of self-improvement, when we have the energy for it.
Gratitude: This is the optimistic finale. The other two rules feel somewhat burdensome, but this one is a relief. Here we experience thankfulness for all of the good we have known. We remember how good it is simply to be alive, even if only for a short time. It makes the value of even our worst enemies become clear. Gratitude defeats all disappointments and all dissatisfaction.

This is the plan I am trying to follow now. I probably won't follow it properly. I am always at risk of being caught up in resentment once again. So long as I am lucid though, I will be grateful for it. If I get lost again, I hope I recover from it.

I do not regard this as a religious teaching. I do not regard myself as religious. I think the social value of these teachings should appeal to the secular. There is no need to accept any particular revelation, nor any particular metaphysics, for these teachings to remain a sound plan for every living person. If however you find it aids you to interpret them within the context of a faith tradition, then that is acceptable to me. Be wary though, as these traditions often have many other rules which can lead to resentment and confusion, and pull you away from the core teachings.

I do not expect everyone to accept these teachings. They are only for those with ears to hear! That is fine, those who don't accept it I will absolve anyway. I don't have the energy to be angry anymore. I no longer dislike myself so much that I want to inflict pain on myself, and hatred of others is always a source of pain.

Do not hate yourself. Do not feel guilty. Do not feel ashamed. Simply work to do better. Self-loathing benefits no one. Even your enemies would likely prefer that you change than that you feel pain.

Saving humanity is a longshot I know, but it's something we should try to do. I think this is the best way to do it. I hope you will agree!