390 I Have No Enemies Because I Decided To Love Them | January 2018 Thursday Week 4__

Thoughtful Thursdays-#390 January 25th The Strong Within Daily Affirmation Podcast

I Have No Enemies Because I Decided To Love Them

"In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him."
~Orson Scott Card

On December 24th and 25th of 1914 a temporary truce was called. It is famously known as the Christmas truce where Belgian, French, And British soldiers came out from their foxholes and trenches to fraternize with German soldiers during World War I.

There are different accounts about how such a temporary ceasefire happened…as one account says a sign was written by German soldiers that said "you no shoot, we no shoot" as they got out of their trenches to meet each other. Another account is said that one side would sing a Christmas carol, and then the opposing side would sing another Christmas carol in their native tongue, and finally both sides were singing Silent Night at the same time as the Germans sang it in Latin and the Allied forces sang it in English.

Based upon multiple eyewitnesses and journal accounts, it's uncertain what one thing brought these supposed enemies together. Both sides stopped fighting and killing each other to mingle, shake hands, and exchange small gifts with each other. There are theories how this two-day truce happened, and some will attribute it to being—their proximity to each other. These two opposing trenches—some were said only to be 100 yards away from each other. They could hear the other troops, they could smell their food, and so they literally had gotten close enough to know their so-called enemy. This closeness had changed the orders from superior commanders for the men in the foxholes by seeing the humanity in the side of the enemy.

Now granted this truce only lasted two days, and things went back to normal. But for a brief moment, both sides connected knowing a similar truth—peace. Yes, while each side was at war to win, they saw that each side had a humanity about them that wanted to end the war, to be at peace with each other. And I wonder how long that peace would have lasted if we took out the objectives of the commanders who were far off somewhere else not in the trenches.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't stand up for ourselves or defend and fight for what's right, but maybe if we got to know who the enemy was, we might not have certain disputes, we might see that we all want the same thing. We want peace within ourselves.

So how do we turn an enemy into a friend?

Maybe it's not about seeing people as our foes, as our bully's, or even as the enemy; but seeing them more as people who are hurting. They're people hurting to fit in and be part of the crowd, so they don't feel so alone. They're people hurting for love, but they don't know how to get it, so they hurt people around them. And they're people confused on how to find peace in their lives. Maybe we can be the one instance of peace in their life by not reacting how they expect us to, as we be above their chatter.

I like to think I'm a nice person, but I know I've done things that have offended people, and probably not purposefully. Some hate that's been thrown towards me might be warranted as I might not have been mindful in how I was around people, but probably most hate towards me was unwarranted. Now, this is not a brag upon myself, but this is to bring an awareness to yourself. When you are a powerful person, when you resonate at a higher, more powerful, positive energy…it's threatening to weaker people.

I've spent so much of my life trying to change my behavior. I didn't want to displease others, as I wanted to be acceptable to everyone. First of all, it was because I never felt I was good enough and I was looking for acceptance from everyone. And secondly, I thought me being this way would minimize conflict. But when you resonate at a higher more powerful energy you will create conflict. Not within yourself but in weaker people threatened by your gifts. They think you have something they want.

John Wycliffe said, "The higher the hill, the stronger the wind: so the loftier the life, the stronger the enemy's temptations." So the more you climb, the more you ask of yourself—then the more you grow. And the more you challenge others to be better, then the more you threaten people, and the more you will tempt people to find fault in you…not in themselves.

The people who resonate at the highest frequencies change the equation. They realize they don't have enemies; they're focused solely upon their objectives. A lion does not concern itself with the opinions of sheep. And I'm not saying anyone is better; I'm only claiming some people are more aware than others.

I've met some amazing people through my podcast, and I still think it's surreal and humbling when people tell me they listen to it and enjoy it. I received an email from a lady by the name of Elana who told me that she, her husband, and her kids all listen to it together in the morning. In fact, the reason I chose the affirmation about enemies today was based on a poem her daughter wrote.

Her daughter Fiona Joy is 11 and is famous in the internet world, and so children at her school can be mean and cruel in how they treat her. Fiona heard the podcast with the affirmation "I Find Magic Wherever I Go" and wrote this poem to help her see the magic in her world differently…and with her permission I wanted to share this beautiful poem with you as well:

Walking to the cafeteria
Sauce on my skirt.
Someone laughs.
I feel hurt.

But
I forgive and let my good feelings show.
Cause I find magic,
Wherever I go.

Skipping to class,
Dirt on my shoes.
Someone snorts.
I feel blue.

But
I forgive and let my good feelings show.

Cause I find magic,
Wherever I go.

Running in PE,
I forgot my gym clothes.
Someone looks at me.
Wrinkles their nose.

But
I forgive and let my good feelings show, Cause I find magic, Wherever I go.

At the end of the email Elana, Fiona Joy's mom, wrote this, "just imagine what life will be like for children who are brought up to be strong within."

So let's not see people as our enemies, let's see the greatness in ourselves, let's see the hurt in others and not take offense for their reactions as we rise above it all—knowing it has nothing to do with us. So stand up for yourself when you need to, but also know there are more times than not that we have to hold our tongue and resonate kindness silently from our heart. I like the saying "never argue with an idiot, for they will always drag you down to their level and win every time." I know the word idiot is harsh in that quote, so let's see people more as ill-informed about living a better way. And let us be the example of living that better life so when they are ready, they won't need our words…they will see our example.

Today's Personal Commitment:
How can you see the people who rub you the wrong way as less of an enemy but something different?

Saul Alinsky said this, "Always remember the first rule of power tactics; power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have."

You see the enemy thinks you have something more than they have…and they're right. They want to steal your harmony. They want to steal your calm and peace. So I challenge you to see the bigger picture that a bully, or that those who persecute us, have nothing better to do than to be in our business. So let them be in our business, and let us be ONLY about our business, as we rise above the small-mindedness of those who are hurting and are lost.

So take a moment to think or write down the people who have treated you unfairly, and ask yourself these questions:

• 1) Who do I want to be?
• 2) Should their opinion of me change who I am?
• 3) How do I follow through in being who I want to be?
• 4) How do I want to see those who are hurting? How can I view them with kinder eyes?
• 5) How do I remember my purpose, so those people do not derail me?
• 6) How can I breathe through the problems rather than open my mouth and end my peace?

Good luck friends. I'm sending great energy on your journeys of ending the conflict and creating more peace in your life. Resonate your energy at a higher level. Not because you need to, but because it's who you are. Silence the naysayers, not with your words but with your example of greatness.

I Have No Enemies Because I Decided To Love Them

Thanks for listening. I'm sending great energy your way as we become Strong Within together,
Personal Development Life Coach-
Chris O'Hearn

Contact info- email: chris@strongwithin.com phone:865-219-3247

Music by:
- Zest by basematic (c) copyright 2011 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
- I Have Often Told You Stories (guitar instrumental) by Ivan Chew (c) copyright 2013 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee USA but available worldwide