Religions generally teach love and we always believe that this is best.
Religions generally teach love and we always believe that this is best. Unfortunately, people are still shooting and killing each other even at this time. When you love someone this is the greatest expression of the heart. However, today some leaders are speaking and teaching of love but, on the other hand, are fighting and killing one another. To just say you love someone or something is not enough. For example, do you love your dog or do you respect your dog? There is a very large difference between just “loving” and “respecting” although they are often spoken of as the same thing. Some people say “Love even your enemy.” But do you respect him? If someone kills your family, you can forgive them, but can you still respect them? The problem is some people don’t know the difference between loving with respect from the heart and just speaking the word love with emptiness. Which one is of highest priority, to understand the true value of love you must practice respect not only for yourself, but for those around you. Sometimes one thinks that love can make you jealous or mad. These emotions are not abnormal, however to act in haste or hatred of these emotions is wrong. Love given with respect is unconditional. I believe Jesus meant to teach us respect so that we could know unconditional love. If you wife says “I love you”, you might respond with “I love you too.” But if your wife says to you that “I have known many people but I respect you the most.” Isn’t this better than just saying “I love you.”? To love someone is great and love itself is great too, but if you love yourself too much you will cause yourself much misery and the death of your soul. Love you and start by yourself, but respect has to come from both.-Grandmaster Yi.
