So, the rationale to love as opposed to hate is simple as apple pie: you need a lot more life in order to get all the hate out of your system, i.e., to “finish enmity.” And even then, it just might not be good enough to make you feel better. Can’t win to lose!
Not that one has enough time to love either. In fact, it’s a lot shorter life one gets in order to love and be loved. When is it long enough to love? How much love is just enough? Is there such a thing as too much love?
Well, I don’t know much, but one thing I know: Love is a funny thing, and these things about love are generally true: It is never too long to love and be loved and there is no such thing as too much love.
It is the only thing that outlasts us, survives us, and refuses to die. Imagine that! It defies life when life gives up and turns to death. It defies death. And distance. And time.
And so, having reaffirmed this truth to myself today, I join Emily Dickinson in saying that I have no time to hate either. I mean, hate doesn’t stand a chance when you take a bright flashlight and a fine-tooth comb to make a comparison between Hate and its counterpart, nay, nemesis: Love.
May it be that you agree.
I Had No Time To Hate, Because
-Emily Dickinson
I had no time to hate, because
The grave would hinder me,
And life was not so ample I
Could finish enmity.
Nor had I time to love, but since
Some industry must be,
The little toil of love, I thought,
Was large enough for me.
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