Hello mi neighbour | Want to be happy? Practise the golden rule daily

SO OVERWHELMING was *Erick’s love for *Erica at first sight, that marriage proposal was immediate. Couldn’t wait! Whether or not she was spoken for at that time didn’t seem to bother Erick at all. Seriously? Believe it or not. By the time the marriage date was set two weeks later, it was clear that Erica was in the clear. Yes!

Though some 50 years have passed sínce the wedding, l can still hear his public decalaration ringing in my ear: if she die today, I will die tomorrow. What love! But, if there were something called “fake love”, that was it. Couldn’t withstand the “wear and tear” of time. Within three months, it was over. Did the couple know that love was not just about good looks, good feelings and smelling good?

Love is not something that we see, touch or smell. However, if affects how we see, touch and smell life. It’s that life-giving force that not only enables us and our neighbours to weather storms, but to remain calm in some of life’s raging storms!

So, those who love truly find that love not only causes suffering but works as a coping mechanism in suffering! See you looking askance ... . Yes, love can cause suffering. Not rewardless suffering, though. My mother suffered the pain of childbirth and was rewarded with this child (smile). Jesus suffered for the sins of the entire world, and look at the outcome. Billions of souls will join Him in heaven some day!

Love can cause suffering because it creates vulnerability, disturbance and conflict whenever expectations are not met. The resultant heartbreak or dissapointment oftentimes feels like physical pain. Falling in love floods the brain with feel-good thoughts which may switch to uneasiness, anxiety and nagging jealousy, which could lead to stupid deciscions/actions if one is not careful. Does that mean that we should not fall in love? What do you think?

The closeness to the other person that one experiences when in love should not blind their eyes or prompt them to drop their guards. Too many sad stories have been told about irrational decisions made by “in-love people” and the devastating outcomes. Come on people, whatever we do on this earth should not be done without the full involvement of our head – a sober head, that is.

One of life’s realities is that some persons are afraid to immerse themselves in love because of the anticipated grief that usually follows a breakup or death. Do you blame them ? Not quite. But hear this, grief is a common human experience that has been here from the dawn of creation and will be here until the end of time. Heard that? The experience may be like a fleeting wind or a long journey at times but, like everything else, it has a beginning, a middle and an end. Long and short of life is, we are all on this earth as “missionaries” and, unless we are fulfilling our mission, the joy and pleasure that we should experience here will never become a reality. What a grief!

But, here is the point I’ve wanting to make all along: love your neighbour as yourself and do unto others as you would want them to do unto you. Do that and be happy for the rest if your life.

Again, we ask that you:

KINDLY HELP A NEIGHBOUR WITH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

1. Stove

2. Refrigerator

3. Bed

4. Food

5. Help with medication

6. Financial assistance to start a little business

To help, please call Silton Townsend @ 876 649-9636/876 884-3866 or deposit in acct #351 044 276 NCB. Alternatively, send donations to Hello Neighbour C/o 53 Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston 10; Paypal/credit card: email: zicron22@yahoo.com. Contact email: helloneighbour@yahoo.com. Visit hellomineighbourja.blogspot.com. Townsend exclusively manages the collections and distributions mentioned in this column and is neither an employee nor agent of The Gleaner.