Hate seems to be everywhere these days. From social media flame wars to political attacks on marginalized communities, it can feel like animosity and hostility are everywhere. We see it in the rise of hate crimes, the spread of extremist ideologies and the normalization of bigoted language and behavior. And it's not just individual acts of bigotry - it's institutionalized in the systems and structures that govern our societies.

Hate is so perversive that it seems to have been normalized. Here's a good example – 

I saw an ad for a shirt the other day that said, "I drink coffee, I hate people and I know things." Can you imagine wearing a shirt all day that proclaimed your hate for people? Even as a joke, it goes a long way to normalizing hate in our world.

Make no mistake: hate is antithetical to happiness.

In fact, it goes against all eight pillars of happiness. So why do we continue to embrace it? The truth is, hate is often driven by deeper emotions like fear, insecurity, and a desire for belonging.

In this post, we'll explore how the normalization of hate is harming our happiness and what we can do to break free from its grip. 

Hate works against authenticity. It encourages people to put on a façade rather than being true to themselves. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they feel pressure to conform to societal norms or to fit in with a particular group. This can cause them to suppress their true feelings and desires, which can lead to feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction.

Hate undermines confidence. Instead it fosters an environment of fear and insecurity. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they feel threatened in some way. This can cause them to doubt themselves and their abilities, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.

Hate is antithetical to purpose. It actively discourages people from pursuing their passions and fulfilling their goals. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they feel it stands in the way of their own success or happiness. This can cause them to become consumed with negative thoughts and emotions which can distract them from their true purpose in life.

Hate is fundamentally pessimistic. It assumes the worst about people and situations. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they believe that it is inherently bad or evil. This can cause them to become cynical and jaded, which can prevent them from seeing the good in people and situations.

Hate is the opposite of compassion. Hate promotes an attitude of indifference or even hostility towards others. When people choose hate, they often do so because they believe that someone or something is inferior or unworthy of their empathy or kindness. This can cause them to become cold and callous, which can prevent them from developing meaningful relationships with others.

Hate stifles emotion. It encourages people to suppress their feelings rather than express them. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they feel that it is wrong or unacceptable to feel a certain way. This can cause them to repress emotions, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.

Hate discourages curiosity. It is judgmental and promotes closed-mindedness and intolerance. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they refuse to consider alternative perspectives or ideas. This can cause them to become intellectually stagnant, which can prevent personal growth.

Hate precludes gratitude. Instead it fosters an attitude of entitlement and resentment. When people hate someone or something, they often do so because they feel they have been wronged or deprived in some way. This can cause them to become bitter and resentful, which can prevent them from appreciating the good things in their lives.

What can we do to break free from hate? We can choose happiness. 

To be truly happy as individuals and as a society, we must reject hate and embrace The Eight Pillars of Happiness. This requires us to dig deeper into the reasons behind our discontent and find healthier and more constructive ways of addressing our concerns.

By cultivating authenticity, confidence, purpose, optimism, compassion, feeling, curiosity and gratitude, we can build a more harmonious and fulfilling world for ourselves and for future generations.

Also, we have to stop selling those shirts. We can like coffee and know things without hating people. I promise.