“I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate – it’s apathy. It’s not giving a damn.”

Care v Dont care

The title quote is from Leo Buscaglia. He was an evangelical champion of love and observed many things about the human condition. From my first readings of his works, I was hooked. And I’ve related it to my experiences with death. Among my other readings, his has helped me solidify my opinion that it’s curiosity that will drive us to happiness. Curiosity means caring. Caring, first for yourself (after all, how can you truly care for others if you can’t care for yourself?), and then start getting curious about your environment, particularly the people in it.

Make yourself one of those who care. Because when you care, you become part of that minority that holds power. Someone valuable. We don’t have to change the world, but we can make a difference in everyone’s life that we interact in. Again from Leo:

“Don’t spend your precious time asking “Why isn’t the world a better place?” It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is “How can I make it better?” To that there is an answer.”

And when we do good things, we contribute to a positive environment, and this will come back and create a better place for us to live. Do good, and good things happen to us. But if we wait for good things, wait on others who care, then the environment we end up in isn’t good. It may not be bad, but it is a limp, stagnant environment. An environment in which you may be financially stable, but without love.

We create the environment we are in, intentionally or not.

So care…about everything you can. Don’t get lost in the troubles of the world. Your vicinity is the best place to do good, with your friends, family, workplace, and neighborhood. Do good things, and good things will happen to you.

There’s nothing spiritual about karma. It’s just the way life works when you live in a community.

6 thoughts on ““I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate – it’s apathy. It’s not giving a damn.”

  1. Great post! I totally agree that if you show care for yourself and others, through your actions, the world automatically transforms into a more caring and loving place.

    1. Thank you!
      It’s a slow process, but I think people can change. It begins one person to another, from the bottom up.

      1. So true. The most difficult change process to begin however is the one from inside to out. Accepting your true self and reaching beyond to help is one of the most difficult things in life anyone will face.

      1. Positive attitude means seeing all the good things and opportunities around you. And seeing these things requires curiosity! And when we see them, we will have gratitude. And that’s the foundation. You have it right: Attitude and behavior.

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