Love-Hate

 

                                                            XXL drawing by Anmarie

The month of May turned out to be a particularly intense period in terms of emotions, with a mix of both difficult and joyful moments that marked my mind. I didn't think it would be so easy for me to switch from love to hate. In general, my emotions evolve from anger to a bad mood without ever reaching the stage of a desire for revenge. Just like with primates, who are our genetic cousins, it is possible to observe that hatred is an integral part of human nature. Indeed, it helps shape our identity and gives structure to our existence. In the past, in my simplistic view of the world, I thought that the inherently good nature of human beings would allow them to eradicate completely the feeling of hate. It is fascinating to note that in human nature, feelings of love and hate can coexist simultaneously. These contradictory emotions sometimes coexist within us, pushing us to feel both affection and repulsion toward the same person or situation. When this feeling, sneaky and insidious, began to gradually creep into me, I felt a deep shame and intense anxiety, unable to recognize myself in this emotional state. Hatred, which manifests as a powerful force of exclusion and separation, finds its usefulness in protecting us from individuals we identify as our enemies. Human emotions, no matter how intense, can shift from one extreme to another in an instant, thus transforming the deepest love into burning hatred and causing sudden and surprising turnarounds. There is a fundamental duality between love and hate, two poles that are both opposing and complementary, constantly present to shape our dynamics in social and emotional relationships. When the attachment between two people is deep and strong, the separation that occurs between them becomes more painful and difficult to endure. Hatred manifests through a combination of physical and mental actions aimed at distancing oneself from the intense and destructive pain that ensues. When feelings of hatred overwhelm us, they tend to influence our daily behavior and dictate our reactions to the situations and people around us. When we find ourselves in a situation where we lose control, it sometimes happens that we get caught in a complex and difficult-to-master process, leaving us at the mercy of forces beyond our control. It is crucial to take measures to stop this process as soon as possible to prevent any progression toward the deterioration and ruin of our future prospects. It is essential to focus on what contributes to our personal growth and to distance ourselves from toxic individuals who might hinder our positive development.