The LOOOOVVVVEEEE Scale

I was having a conversation with my friend. He asked me where do we draw the line between "like" and "love"; "dislike" and "hate". In what proportions do they occur. When does dislike turn into hate and when does like turn into love? I had to think about this one. I don't actually hate anyone or anything. Hate is such a strong word and I leave no room for it in my vocabulary. I don't even really dislike that many things.

I am currently doing my MBA and in relating this to my Managerial Economics course, when defining the probability of some occurrence, it is important to use a scale that is universal. We must use a scale that is comparable across different cultures, points of views, demographics and so on. So we use percentages from 0% to 100%. For example: I can say that I think it is 30% likely that occurrence X will happen. 


So where do you draw the line between dislike and hate? As in, if dislike and hate were on one continuum, what are the proportions? After really thinking about it, I would say for me dislike would make up 100% leaving 0% for hate. Like I said, there is no room for H-A-T-E in my vocabulary. 


As for like and love, at first I said like was equal to 20% and love was equal to 80%. In the sense that 80% of the time I am expressing true love for something or someone. Within the 80% bucket, I love my mom 100%. The 20% "liking" is reserved for things that I don't LOVE but I do like:

-I like tomatoes
-I like runners
-I like forks (I love spoons)
-I like banjos 
-I like soothers


But then he asked me to consider that all things come from a place of love. In the sense that there is no "like" but only "love". 100%. All things come from love, just at varying intensities. If someone holds open the door for you, this act of kindness stems from love. You may not know them, but their actions project love for another being at some level or another.


So in the end, there is only love. 


(I LOVE forks)x(0.20)


What is your LOOOOVVVVEEEE scale? 

Peace : Presence : Love

I feel that I have grown so much in the last few years. I thought that it might be nice to document my growth and change over time. This is sort of my way of plotting my life on an X and Y axis. The function and variables that define me have become clearer- yet I know that in life I will be continuously learning and thus steepening the slopes of the tangent lines to my curve of life. I know, I am a geek. But we all are.

I invite you to read my not-so-secret diary. Really I write this to provoke thought, inspire others, create relatedness. We are all linked by a common breathe. I invite you to see yourself in my writing and think about how it applies to you. Feel free to comment or share your own experiences and thoughts. Today I want to share with you a letter I wrote to a friend:

It has been some time since we have spoken. I am sorry I haven't been in touch with you. Today I felt sad. Then I remembered who I am and what I stand for. Who I am in this world is undying selfelessness. So there is no need for me to feel sad for myself as it only feeds my own ego. Now instead I feel inspired so I decided to write you as I knew you would get it.

My Opa passed last week. He died in my arms. I held his hand and watched his soul leave his body. I am so priviledged that he chose me. In Hindu religion, they believe that if a loved one dies in your presence, their soul will come back as your child. If this is the case, I will be so honored that his legacy will continue as I will have an enlightened child with an old soul. He was a very spiritual man and I am so lucky to have been able to receive so much contribution from him over my lifetime. He devoted his life to enriching others' lives, ridding ego, creating peace, spreading positive energy.

More than ever do I feel that I was born for a big purpose. I was meant to be so much bigger than what I see myself as. Not in the sense of ego, but through devotion and giving. I really do feel that I can make a difference in this world for humanity, for all living creatures.

Love always,

Stef