“It is just so easy to hate on things and I don’t want to be a hater.”

These words, from a previous mentor, still haunt me (in a good way) to this day.

A few years back I was having a conversation with my mentor about the books we were reading.

I had strong opinions about the author he was learning from. All of them groundless…

And as I naively shared my opinions, my mentor graciously shared the words quoted above with me.

It is just so easy to hate on things.

As I have been thinking about this and trying to eliminate hate in my life I noticed how bonding hate is.

It feels like so many of my surface level friendship are bonded through a mutual hate.

And unfortunately this mutual hatred is often targeted at a person like a co-worker, a boss, maybe even a family member…

But maybe hate is too strong of a word.

To bring home the point we can replace hate with frustrate, annoy, or disapprove.

Or even criticise.

I remember when I decided to start training for marathon. (this is the last time I will mention my marathon, I know I know, it’s annoying)

It seemed like every person I told, had something discouraging to say about it.

“Maybe you should start with a half”

“When was the last time you ran?”

“My friend blew his knee out running marathons!”

All negative comments, some came from my closest friends.

It is just easy to hate on things.

I want to be different.

I want to be someone who is encouraging, uplifting, and positive.

I don’t want to take the low hanging fruit of hate.

Let’s be people who are set apart by not being a hater.

Go out and DON’t be a hater. Go out and make a difference.