Love is greater than fear

September 15, 2007 in Uncategorized

"The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear creates aggressiveness." – Dorothy Thompson

This is my new favorite bumper sticker, spotted on a red Honda Element this afternoon. Must find out where to get one. The sister to this one reads LOVE > HATE, but since fear drives hate, this one seems the more elemental, the root of it all.

I’m imagining others:

LOVE > THE NEED TO BE RIGHT or

LOVE > MAKING HUGE WADS OF CASH or

LOVE > NEVER REPLACING THE TOILET PAPER ROLL or

LOVE > EATING THE LAST FAGE YOGURT IN THE FRIDGE WHEN IT’S TOO LATE TO GO GET MORE or

LOVE > HOW YOU’LL LOOK AT YOUR 30th HIGH SCHOOL REUNION IN ONE SHORT WEEK WHEN YOU DIDN’T START MOISTURIZING AGGRESSIVELY UNTIL A WEEK AGO.

Perhaps LOVE > FEAR says it all.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

8 comments to " Love is greater than fear "


Rick

September 15, 2007 AT 6:49AM

Too funny, Patti!

In my case, it is:

LOVE > The twenty pounds I swore back in May would be gone by the end of summer

On the “let’s move the human race toward enlightenment” front, your found bumper sticker is so right on.

Of course, Love conquers all. Yet, it is a gentle conqueror and will not override silly human contrivances such as fear. We have to acknowledge the primacy of Love to make that happen. I do my part right this moment: I honor Love above any fear I hold inside!

Raquel Xamani Icart

September 15, 2007 AT 6:11PM

When I think about love and fear , I keep referring myself to the Toltec Wisdom Book : “The Mastery of Love” by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Toltecs believe that your whole life is nothing but a dream and that every human has a personal dream of life. If we know what is love and what is fear , you become aware of the way you communicate your dream :

“Love has no obligations. Fear is full of obligations.
Love has no expectations. Fear is full of expectations.
Love is based on respect. Fear does not respect anything.
Love is completely responsible. Fear avoids responsibility.
Love is always kind. Fear is always unkind.
Love is unconditional. Fear is full of conditions. ”

Don Miguel Ruiz
points out that “in the track of fear we have so many conditions, expectations, and obligations that we create a lot of rules just to protect ourselves against emotional pain. These rules exists just because we are afraid.”

One thing I learn after reading the book is that not only in the track of Love there is justice but also that love is not about concepts and rules; love is about action. Love in action can only produce happiness. So if you are aware that nobody else can make you happy, and that happiness is the result of love coming out of you, so Love….

…and share, enjoy, just because you love beauty, you love to laugh, you love to have fun and you love to love.

I have no doubt that generosity, freedom, and love will create the most beautiful dream.

Do not be afraid….

Do you know why that smile is always in your face?

Toni

September 16, 2007 AT 9:10AM

“Love > Fear” is even better than my favorite bumper sticker, “Beware of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.”

It’s my 40th birthday today. What a great thing to read and remember as I enter in a new decade of my life–cheers!

Joy

September 16, 2007 AT 4:28PM

Thanks for sharing a universal truth, Patti. Here’s a great quote I think you might enjoy:

“Where there is great love there are always Miracles.” – Willa Cather

Chelsea

September 17, 2007 AT 12:05AM

This is so simple, yes SO TRUE. And absolutely everything I need to remember right now. Love>worry is what I need to remember, and worry is fears mean little sister.
Anyways- this post is perfect, as usual.

I hope you had a lovely sunday.

Kim Moser

September 17, 2007 AT 12:39PM

http://www.cafepress.com is a great website for bumper stickers. I believe you can even create your own . . . I can see a line of 37 Days quotes and sayings splashed on the backs of cars across the country!

Michael Wagner

September 17, 2007 AT 10:07PM

Great post…my mind is racing.

I take it that “MOISTURIZING AGGRESSIVELY” is fear induced?

Keep creating…more love,
Mike

Karen (Lion and Magic Boy)

September 19, 2007 AT 11:23PM

Absolutely. Love is All That Is. it encompasses fear; they are not exclusive in nature. Allowing fear is actually part of love.

Love what I’ve seen of your blog….I plan to poke around some more!