my writings.

Letting go of anger to reach emotional prosperity.- By Johnny Roman

2010-06-02T18:28:00.000-07:00

In this age of conflict and confusion, many people are mired in never ending feuds. These feuds emanate from acts of disrespect, treachery, and injustice. Others are simply continued because of lack of compassion and wicked pride. Whatever the cause may be, the result is the same: Perpetual frustration and misery for all those involved.

What are the ramifications of clinging to anger and bitterness. As I have outlined in previous articles, the list is lengthy and calamitous. Health woes, isolation, and damaged reputations; are just some of the most lethal of these consequences. Therefore, those that insist on sustaining a feud are on the path to ruin and despair.

What is the answer then? Simply put, it is the need to let go of the issue and move on. "Easier said than done!" most would say. Indeed, it is very hard to stop feeling hurt and resentful for a wrong that was committed against us. Yet, our eternal peace of mind and good health are imperiled by our inability to let go. It would be very difficult to build new relationships and enjoy what life has to offer, if we continue to let our past hurts to govern our thoughts. The best release a person can have is the peace of mind in knowing that you are emotionally liberated from anger and bitterness.

The benefits are abundant. You will be able to sleep better, have more energy, and establish new relationships that will heal your heart. Once you focus on enjoying the true blessings of happiness and emotional peace; you will realize how much you were losing out on by remaining embroiled in conflict with someone else. This is the only way to reach your potential as a person. Many times, we ourselves let external factors harm us more than they should have. Clinging to anger and bitterness, only serves to keep reliving the previous wrongs. This emotional roller coaster hinders our progress dramatically. Sadly, many people stay mired in this emotional quagmire and have to face irreversible consequences for the rest of their lives. Don't let that happen to you!

Another way to diffuse anger, is by measuring the scope and severity of the perceived wrong. When we take an honest assessment of the wrong, we can often see that that it is not important enough to risk losing your inner peace and physical health. This doesn't mean that we blindly excuse the wrong committed and then pursue friendship with that person. There are times where a once robust friendship should be terminated or postponed, if the wrong committed is proof of serious character defects of the other person. You dont want to risk hurting yourself over and over again, by these kinds of people. However, if the wrong committed can be reversed, and both sides are willing to restore relations, then it is prudent and loving to let the anger subside. Once forgiveness is extended, then peace and emotional prosperity is surely to follow!

How to heal from our mistakes.-By Johnny Roman.

2009-12-29T16:54:00.000-08:00

As imperfect people, we all make mistakes that hurt others and ourselves. Some people are able to rise above their errors; while others are not. Depending on the severity of the wrongdoing, some people have to deal with the consequences for a limited time; while others will have to deal with the repercussions for the rest of their lives.

As we all know, mercy is a demonstration of love. Sadly, many people will not forgive even if the person is remorseful and has attempted to make amends. While it can be difficult to forgive someone who has caused much hurt; we must remember that when we forgive we also heal ourselves. Ruminating about what the other person has done, will imperil our emotional and physical well being. If there was no forgiveness, innocent ones will suffer because they will keep clinging to the past and become bitter. In addition, the sinful one will become demoralized and will not progress from his sinful state.

Therefore, it is imperative that the sinful person is aware of his wrongdoing, and seeks to rectify his actions. When a person does this, it makes it easier for others to forgive him. However, a good hearted person who made a mistake, may be swallowed up by grief over what he or she has done. They may give up, and conclude that no one will accept them for their mistakes. Acts of repentance can be immediate, or last a period of time. I believe fully in rehabilitation of wrongdoers. Everyone has the capacity for good. The good in all of us must be developed through education and love. How can we heal from our mistakes?

First, we must remember that we all have value and are worthy of respect. Being harshly judged indefinitely is not loving or edifying. We must remember that we are imperfect, and we can't be sin free forever. We all deserve second chances, and should try our best to remember that our one mistake should not nullify our good deeds done throughout our lives. That is the key. We must build on the fine things we have already done. The sin committed should not be the end result. What we do after it is what matters. Just as it would be cruel to reject someone for a mistake, it would not be healing for us if we indefinitely condemn ourselves for the mistake. Build from the good, and the path of healing will begin and reach its fulfillment.

Simply put, we must forgive ourselves to heal and progress. Then we must take advantage of the opportunities we have to do good. The restoration of a wrongdoer is the goal of every loving person. Remember, that people teeming with love are eager to see you embrace righteousness. They dont delight in the consequences you are facing for your mistakes. Rather, they are hopeful that all parties involved will receive the healing they need to be happy once again.

We are not lost causes. The help is there to rise above our mistakes. A good person will love us during good or bad. Therefore, if someone permanently treats us like outcasts; then they are the ones who are in the wrong. If you are making the effort required at rehabilitation and justice; then you should be commended for that! God sees your good efforts, and will bless you in due time. Don't give thought to what most people think. This is because the majority of people have traits and attitudes that are contradictory to love. Love passes over transgression. This does not mean that we can hurt others with impunity, and then demand that they forgive us. Rather, it is everyone involved that must do their part to make sure that true love flourishes.

So, let us always endeavor to not let our mistakes suppress our ability to make amends. A grief stricken conscience is a healthy sign of our remorse and good heart. Lets build on those inclinations for good, and we will achieve the self-respect and love from others that every human being needs. No matter how bad you feel, there are people who are rooting for you to succeed. Redemption is a beautiful thing, and it will help inspire and delight others who are in the same predicament. More importantly, you will be one step closer to happiness and peace which you and your loved ones desperately need.

Maintaining your dignity in the face of evil.-By Johnny Roman.

2009-12-25T17:05:00.000-08:00

In this cold and dying world, we are often subjected to the cruelty of ridiculers, betrayers, and haughty ones. The damage that they impose can be enormous. They sap your peace of mind and self-worth. The emotional and physical toll because of their actions is definitely a hazard. How can rightly disposed people handle this situation?

The first thing that must be done, is not to let hate envelop your heart. As we know, hate is destructive to all who are consumed by it. In the end, that is what your antagonists want. They want you to feel hurt and crushed by your actions. The best way to counter this, is by not being fixated on revenge. Prove to yourself that you can be happy, and that your opposers are not meaningful people in your life. When your enemies see that you are succeeding despite their taunts and hate; you will give the best response possible to anything that they do.

Second, it is critical that you surround yourself with people who truly love you and care for you. The comfort of knowing that you have a network of people who cherish your positive attributes is priceless. Think about it. If you have many friends and supporters, why would you even care about one small malcontent? Your enemies become irrelevant once you are happy, and your dreams are coming true.

Third, we must remember that the people who hate us are the ones with the problem. Remember this: anyone who delights in your suffering and is indifferent to your feelings; is the one who has the problem. They are the ones who should be viewed with disgrace. Love and respect are only pursued by good-hearted people. Therefore, don't ruminate over and over about what your opposers are thinking or saying about you!

It takes time to recover from a broken heart. Don't expect miracles overnight. However, by reaffirming your attributes and accomplishments, you can rise above the madness of your detractors. Never forget about your value as a human being, and that you deserve to be happy as equally as everyone else. People can do cruel and destructive things to one another. However, don't dignify their stupidity and cruelty by responding in a similar fashion!

Imitating the God of Peace.-By Johnny Roman.

2009-11-23T16:48:00.000-08:00

During these turbulent times, violence and brutality have saturated our world. These have come in the forms of terrorism, wars, and exploitation. Other enemies of peace have come from the never ending cycle of retaliation and wrathful speech. Sadly, many people are mired in feuds that make peace and tranquility unattainable for both sides.

Does it really have to be this way? Not if we know our heavenly father intimately. This is because the scriptures describe Jehovah God, as a God of peace. He is always ready to forgive and invites all his creation to draw close to him. Jehovah and his angels are especially pleased when someone strives for repentance. This rejoices his heart because it makes it possible for his creatures to have a relationship with him. You can clearly see that our God values peace, because he is always eager for his creatures to rectify their relationship with him.

By analyzing Jehovah's behavior, we can see that to be considered peaceable, one must be willing to forgive earnestly. Even more important, is not clinging to anger and bitterness. Forgiving is an essential element to peace flowing freely among people. Being resentful and ruminating over the wrong done by another person prevents peace from being established. We must not take into account the injurious deeds by others. Following this advice will ensure that we have peace of mind and spirit. Indeed, research has clearly shown that resentment leads to a decline in health. Therefore, a good remedy for health is striving to be complete and unconditional forgivers!

When one studies the scriptures, one sees that Jehovah and Jesus are highly displeased by the rivalries and sorrow that describe human relations today. This is not in harmony with Jehovah's divine purpose for mankind. Blissful life on a paradise earth for all eternity, cannot be realized if its inhabitants have no inclination towards forgiveness and peace. By studying human history, and present day mankind; we can see that refusing to forgive has been one of the biggest mistakes that any person can make.

Jehovah and Jesus have clearly shown the way to peace. Treating others with dignity and kindness is just one way. The other is by willing to not let the sins of others stand in the way of keeping love and peace from flourishing. Jesus was not bitter at those who tortured and opposed him. His heart was abundant in love for mankind. While we can't duplicate the love of Jehovah and Jesus, we can imitate to the best of our ability their loving and peaceful disposition. By you renouncing violence and petty disputes, you are in essence showing your creator that you want to be an ambassador of peace. He will certainly bless your efforts now, and in his glorious new world to come.

What makes a man great?- by Johnny Roman.

2008-01-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

(Luke 9:48)- and said to them: "Whoever receives this young child on the basis of my name receives me too, and whoever receives me receives him also that sent me forth. For he that conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great."

Ah, the concept of greatness! If you ask around, you will hear a variety of viewpoints on what makes a person great. Some will say that success at business or advanced schooling, makes someone great. Many will say a devout religious person is great. Others will say that a person who raised a family, while living scrupulously, certainly deserves to be labeled as great.

It should come as no surprise, that there is no consensus on what constitutes greatness. Since this world is inundated with different ideologies on everything from health to religion, Its doubtful that one uniform definition of greatness will be found. Whats interesting, is that many people choose many paths to attain greatness. Is it normal or proper, to desire greatness?

The pursuit of prominence or prestige, is certainly not new. After the flood of Noah's day, the people of the land developed a grandiose plan to construct a tower that would reach the heavens. They wanted to do this to make a celebrated name for themselves. They coveted greatness and acclaim. What did God think of this? The Genesis account mentions that God thwarted their plans by making them speak different languages. This confusion forced them to disperse, and begin populating other parts of the earth. God clearly didn't approve of their thinking.

The inference from this account is that the desire for greatness is improper. This doesn't mean that the desire for love and acceptance is wrong. They are totally contradictory. Love and acceptance induces stability and emotional wellness. The desire for greatness shows a carnal desire to rank ahead of your peers. This desire for prominence undermines peace between people, and fosters jealousies and envies. Now we can see why God didn't condone the behavior of the people at that time.

Since Jesus Christ was educated by his father Jehovah, from reading the theme scripture, we can see Jehovah's perception of greatness. It is not fame, talents, wealth, or beauty. Rather, its the humble behavior of a person that is noteworthy. The apostles made the mistake of pursuing greatness and hierarchy. They were consumed with distinguishing themselves from one another. Rivalries and competition would have materialized. In time, their perceptions on this matter were rectified. The lesson for us is that if we want to contribute to love and unity, we must suppress the desire to be greater than our peers.

How can we "conduct ourselves as the lesser one", as Jesus exhorts? We can do this by refusing to compete with our fellowman. Also, we can adopt Jesus perception that all his followers are brothers. (Matthew 23:10) Since Jehovah and Jesus are trying to unify mankind in love, we must root out any thoughts for self-aggrandizement. We would treat our brothers kindly, and without favoritism. We also would never do things to garner praise and attention. Rather, we would emulate the example of the angels, who refused reverence for their powerful deeds. We also would remember the example of God fearing women. They graciously submit to God's headship arrangement in the family.

How thankful we can be, That Jehovah doesn't expect us to be prominent in order to gain his approval! Everyone can win the prizes of Life and love by yielding to modesty. We can always strive for self-improvement. However, we must be vigilant that this doesn't lead to boasting and a competitive spirit. We have the divine assurance that pursuing humility and modesty is what makes a man or woman, great.

Eradicating Jealousy to prosper in our relationships.-By Johnny Roman

2007-12-31T20:29:00.000-08:00

(Proverbs 14:30)- A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism, but jealousy is rotteness to the bones.

We have all seen the destructive effects that jealousy can have. It often brings emotional and physical harm. In fact, people have even died because of being victims of jealous rages. What are some of the things people get jealous about?

Often times, it is manifested when someone other than ourselves, garners praise and prestige. In other situations, it may result due to someone obtaining the affections of someone we are enamored with. For example, two friends have a romantic interest in the same woman. When the woman embraces one man while spurning the other, this often provokes a lingering resentment in the rejected suitor. Perhaps this may have happened to you.

This isn't to say that it is not normal to feel hurt and frustrated when we are slighted. However, it becomes a dangerous problem when our resentment and bitterness is induced by the success and accomplishments of our peers. It is even worse, when we start looking at successful ones as our rivals. King Saul of ancient Israel made this mistake. Instead of looking at David objectively, his animosity grew with each success that David enjoyed. Saul grew wrathful and suspicious of David, when the women of the land extolled David in song. Saul's mistake was in comparing David's accomplishments with his own. Instead of appreciating his own accomplishments, he grew more obsessed with David. This irrational thinking precipitated a chain of events, that led Saul to attempted murder, and eventually his own ruin.

Jealousy can certainly bring frightening results. Since Jealousy is a work of the flesh, it can dominate our behaviors if we are not careful. Sad to say, most people today are consumed with jealous tendencies. Why? First, most people were reared in households, where natural affection and commendation were nonexistent. These people were objects of criticism and disdain. They were also recipients of ridicule, and unfairly compared to others. Jealousy often emanates from low self-esteem, competition, repeated failures and deprivation of love. This shows that jealousy is deeply embedded in one's heart, and is not easily superseded. A jealous person needs to readjust his assessments of himself and others. How can this be done?

A person with jealous tendencies, must learn to recognize and appreciate his own talents and accomplishments. Everyone alive has talents and circumstances that can benefit others. They should learn to value and not marginalize, their abilities. Jehovah does not compare our efforts and successes with anyone else. He is appreciative of our efforts to do the right thing. His justice and love is what makes him desire that everyone alive attain happiness. Therefore, a jealous person needs to stop being afraid that someone else's accomplishments and happiness are a threat to his own. Everyone alive can achieve some measure of happiness if they strive to live a moral life, and are spiritually diligent.

What about the feelings of neglect, rejection and ostracism, that many people have? Did someone you love, reject you for someone else? Do you feel deprived of love and commendation? Sadly, many do. The reality is that humans need daily reassurances of warmth and affection. If someone has rejected you, You cannot give in to feelings of self-loathing. The person who rejected you, probably had minimal appreciation for what you had to offer. Therein lies the key: Everyone has something to offer. If that person didn't value you, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't! Even more consoling, is the fact that there are people who are looking for someone just like you! When you have a robust outlook on your abilities and accomplishments, you will not be jealous of anyone else.

A jealous person must also not compare himself with others. The person you are jealous of, has flaws and shortcomings like anyone else. So instead of viewing your rival as a success, and yourself as a failure, appreciate the fact that you are both different and successful in your own ways. Remove yourself from the company of those that marginalize your accomplishments and abilities. Those that compare you to others could induce the feelings of jealousy you are trying to avoid. Thankfully, Jehovah didn't declare that life should be one open competition. Rather, everyone can win the gifts of happiness, love and life, if they tenaciously cling to Jehovah.

I have always said, that a person devoid of jealousy can accomplish so much. He will have a positive analysis of himself and others. He will have inner peace, and no insecurities. He will handle his own setbacks and successes of others with grace. Pray to Jehovah to help you extirpate any jealousy in your heart. Remember, that Jehovah values you and wants you to be happy. If you look closely, you will see that there are people that have identified your attributes and talents. These people likely were the beneficiaries of what you have to offer. Treasure those things, and you will see how satisfying it is when your jealousy has eroded and love comes your way!

An Introduction to the proper approach to living.-By Johnny Roman.

2007-06-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

For many, the wisdom needed to thrive in life is elusive. One can walk into a bookstore, and see an immense variety of titles all claiming to have the way of prosperity. Others try to find a spiritual sanctuary by matriculating themselves into one of the worlds numerous religions. Disenchanted with these sources, others resort to relying on their own experience and concepts to govern their lives. For many, the hope of finding impeccable wisdom has waned. Some who have given up hope, have lapsed into self-destructive emotions and behaviors. Depression, wrath and substance abuse, are just some of the ramifications of being lost in this world.

Is it possible to find wisdom that engenders inner peace and contentment that translates to success in this world? To answer this question, one must look at the state of society. Society today is hampered with conflict and misery. Why? Because people today are cruel, selfish and unjust. Racism, wars, and poverty are just some of the deplorable consequences when people have little regard for one another. Thats just an assessment of people collectively. What about your life? Is your happiness inhibited because of some form of mistreatment you've received? Are you currently involved in a contentious relationship?

If you answered yes to these questions, you will notice a common theme. That theme is the fact that society today has marginalized Love and other virtues. The emphasis today is on the pursuit of wealth and other self-centered pleasures. People are more devoted to their careers, education and hobbies than they are to other people. Many people are willing to do anything reprehensible just to get ahead of their peers. From their youth on, People are mainly taught how to acquire skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The development of social skills and virtues are practically neglected in the rearing of children today. This has resulted in a generation of people with no diplomatic and social skills. Sadly, Love and Justice has become relegated to unimportance by people today. Suspicion, distrust and competition, has ruled the affairs of people today.

For those people who still value outstanding traits like Meekness, Humility and affability, they can learn how to develop these qualities. The wisdom that is indispensable is the competence necessary to co-exist happily with others while achieving your goals. The goal is that people reading this become adept at building friendships, while living a life of integrity.

What people have to understand is that wealth, talents and fame do not bring perpetual fulfillment. Rather, it is having optimism for the future and a support network of people founded on love that constitutes happiness. According to the bible, the two greatest commandments are Love for God and neighbor. The failure to adhere to these two tenets is why society has experienced stupendous calamities. The influential people of this world have promoted love and devotion for other things.

The emphasis then is on you exalting the virtues of Love and compassion among others, to truly find satisfaction in life. For those of you who profess reverence to God, you can't be aloof and uncaring in your dealings with others. Therefore, let us work at becoming proficient at showing love equally and unconditionally to all. For those of you that find this to be difficult because of being hurt and exploited by others, there is a virtue that can help you surmount this. It is called Meekness, and that will be my second article. For those of you who are shy and introverted because of low self-esteem, then you will like my third article on self-acceptance. Always remember that love is not elusive if you are committed to it.

Meekness: the quality which safeguards you.-By Johnny Roman.

2007-06-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

Have you been the victim of cruelty or injustice at some point of your life? Are you presently despondent over your personal circumstances in life? Has someone broken your heart because of treachery or rejection? If you answered yes to one or all of these questions, you are not alone.

Many people today harbor some form of bitterness, resentment and hurt over some wrong that was done to them. Others still are just enveloped with despair over their personal situation in life. These people may be sorrowful because their expectations for life have not materialized. Some of these people develop a self-loathing spirit, in which they harshly condemn themselves for their disappointments in life. They develop other negative emotions such as anger, jealousy and envies. Sadly, they compound their problems and misery by allowing these negative emotions to govern their actions.

What can each person do to guard against heartache and bitterness? Besides cultivating an optimistic outlook on life, there is a virtue that transcends this. It is called Meekness. Meekness is a quality that prevents a person from becoming offended or resentful when someone has done something injurious to him. It also refers to a state of mind that precludes a person from being morose or bitter over his lot in life. Hence, a person who is meek, would revel in an undisturbed inner peace. He would not be indefinitely angered when someone wrongs him. He would also never have a pessimistic assessment of the state of his life. Would'nt it be wonderful to have the ability to never get downcast whenever something negative or hurtful happens in our life? Thats what the virtue of meekness can do for you!

How can we transform our personalities to become meek? There are several things that must be done. First, one must develop a rational assessment of life. In an imperfect world, run by imperfect people, there are going to be occasions where we will be disappointed or even hurt. Disappointments are an inevitable part of life. What a person must do is learn to react positively, when life's setbacks occur. We must never react adversely with self-destructive emotions like anger and bitterness, when someone affronts us. We would also guard against becoming negatively analytical about ourselves and our circumstances in life.

The second thing a person must do to become meek, is to relinquish the anger and disappointment that emanates from their past. Do you often think about a past event in your life that still brings you grief? Work on letting go of past hurts and failures so that way you can experience inner peace and future happiness. Emotionally letting go, does not mean that you excuse or justify the unpleasant experience. Victims of violent crime should never feel that they are to blame for what befell them. Likewise, Those who suffered the pains of debilitating illness and other calamities, should never condemn themselves. Emotionally letting go, means that you dont allow the self-destructive emotions that emanate from catastrophe to sap our joy from living.

The third thing that will help us to become meek is to learn to respect and accept people's right to choose. What does this mean? I will give two examples. First, have you ever had a romantic interest in someone, only to have that person rebuff your overtures? Or have you been passed over for a job or promotion? Who hasn't experienced this! While it is indeed hurtful to have someone reject you, look at it this way: Have you ever rejected someone who had a romantic interest in you? Many have. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. Why? Imagine the unhappiness that would result if everyone was forced to be with a person they are not compatible with! The right to choose is what makes life enjoyable. A rejection is not always an accurate assessment of you. Sometimes the circumstances or preferences of the people involved might diverge. This means that the persons analyzing you, might not deem you to be the right fit for their situation. While its disappointing, the beautiful thing is that there is someone or some organization that is searching for someone just like you!

Meekness then, compels us to be emotionally stable. Whatever life throws at us, we will never remain in a prolonged state of pessimism and anger. Meekness will also ensure that we will never respond adversely and impetuously when wronged. Meekness will also engender an inner peace and gratitude for the good things taking place in our lives. When we are meek, we will have better relationships because we will be patient with the shortcomings of others, and are forgiving when they wrong us. Lastly, meekness will compel us to never dwell on the negative things in life. Rather, we will always have a vibrant optimism for the future and a robust love for ourselves and others. Therefore, strive to be meek to experience the rejoicing and inner peace that every human deserves!

Learning to love yourself so you can love others.-By Johnny Roman.

2007-06-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

Are you honestly content with who you are? Many people would often say no. This is because low self-esteem plagues the emotions of many people. Why are people so disdainful of themselves? This is because society places an absurd premium on certain things. These are:
1)Appearance.
2)Fame.
3)Wealth.
4)Education.
5)Talents.
6)Careers.

Why is this the case? This is because people in general dont love one another equally and unconditionally. The influential people in this world contribute to this injustice by promoting the aforementioned six things. Those that fall short of success in these areas are often patronized and ridiculed. Since no one wants to be the recipient of such ill-treatment, you will often see people impose unreasonable expectations on themselves to prosper in these six areas. You see people who cope with eating disorders, because they are dissatisfied with their weight. You will notice how the media touts the rich and famous. You encounter people who feel ordinary because they dont have an exceptional talent. The respect of people is largely determined by their level of education and occupation. Is this madness or what!

If you have been made to believe that you have to prove your value as a person, you have been deceived. The fact of the matter is that every person should be esteemed because they are alive. The failure to acknowledge this simple fact is why society has experienced so many injurious things. You always hear people say: "all men are created equal". They then proceed to treat their fellowman in the opposite manner. Its pretty apparent then why so many people feel they are unworthy of love and respect.

Is this how you feel? The concept of learning to love yourself might seem grandiose to you. However, by readjusting your perspective of yourself, you can then find many compelling reasons to feel better about yourself. One thing that would help you greatly in this effort is to minimize or eliminate association with those that make you feel inferior or worthless. When you constantly expose yourself to these kinds of people, their negative perceptions of you are reinforced in your mind over time. You then come to accept their negative assessment of you. A person with a robust self-esteem might be impervious to this contrary talk. However, a person with low self-esteem is especially vulnerable to cruel and judgemental people.

The second thing that will help you to cultivate love for yourself is to cease comparing yourself with others. If you judge yourself in comparison to the accomplishments and circumstances of others, you will never be happy. You must embrace this key fact: All people are unique and successful in their own way. This means that everyone alive has aptitudes and experiences that are prestigious. We can all learn something from one another. That is why the idea that some people are better than others is an outright fallacy. Constantly, reaffirm to yourself that you have abilities and circumstances that can benefit society.

Always remember that those that marginalize you are the ones who are responsible for the problems that have beset society. Man has not achieved peace because of judgemental and discriminatory precepts. If society continues to promote and practice these outlandish ideas, peace and justice will be unattainable. It is up to each individual to renounce and discard the ideas that have contributed to the fragmentation of society.

Therefore, always uphold your dignity and desist from self-deprecating commentary. You should never feel inferior to or envious of anyone else. Every single person alive is entitled to respect and dignity because they exist. A famous person once said that it takes courage and strength to love someone deeply. Its reasonable to conclude then that those who refuse to love their neighbor equally and unconditionally exhibit a cowardly disposition. To become a person who radiates love and respect begins by first acknowledging that you too are deserving of it from others.