The Most Destructive Force in the Universe (and the One Thing That Can Stop It)

I’m usually a very happy person, but sometimes it’s easy to feel down about all the problems in the world.

The economy is a mess, global warming is frying the planet, the news is filled with unending war…and I bet if you read this post a year from now—or even 5 years from now—we’d still see these same difficulties.

Would you believe me if I told you that almost all (if not all) the world’s troubles are caused by the same destructive force?

Any guesses? No, it’s not the Democrats, the Republicans, the liberals, the conservatives, the vegans, the carnivores, the Christians, the Muslims, gay people, straight people, Jesus, Satan, Darth Vader, or Justin Bieber.

It’s lack of love.

You may be thinking, “Sage, isn’t lack of love the same thing as hate?” They are 2 separate forces, and lack of love is exceedingly more destructive than hate.

Lack of love is an apathy about a situation. It means you don’t care enough about something to feel any emotion.

Hatred is when you feel a strong angry emotion, and your hate may be justified. If you hate something, then you care about that situation very much.

A person who throws everything away and never recycles is showing lack of love toward the planet. This lack of love can have dire effects for the health of the world and all its inhabitants.

When 2 groups of people would rather continue to believe false notions about the other than sit down to talk and treat each other with mutual respect, that is showing a lack of love toward different viewpoints. This lack of love can lead to war.

If we treat our bodies like crap and fill ourselves with junk food and drugs, we are showing a lack of love toward ourselves. This of course can lead to obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, or even self-mutilation.

Kanye West famously said, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during a fundraising drive for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Whether you believe he was telling the truth or not, he was talking about lack of love.

If George Bush hated black people, then we’d call him a crazy bigot. But if he didn’t care about black people…well, that apathy was much more destructive and could prevent money and resources from getting to the people who need it most. Kanye West was concerned that a lack of love would hurt the black people affected by the hurricane.

Wow, this is heavy stuff for a usually up-beat blog!

Since lack of love and apathy can cause so many problems, we must embrace the only force in the universe strong enough to make things right. We must love!

Love the planet (your home!) and support companies, products, and people who are making the world a cleaner place.

Love your neighbors even if you don’t share the same beliefs.

Love yourself to find peace with your body.

Have you seen the effects of lack of love in your life? In what ways do you want to show more love?

3 Simple Steps to Become a Productivity Superstar

Dump your excuses, transform your habits, and become the most productive person you know.

11 Comments

  1. Tinfoilstiaras on January 13, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    We must love- amen to that! I rarely watch the news, not because I want to be ignorant, but because I find the lack of love in this world so depressing. I try hard never to say I ‘hate’ anything, especially people because when we start hating people, that’s when the problems begin (although I’m not a big fan of Kanye West but that’s another story…)



  2. Megan Gann on January 13, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    It’s so easy to become apathetic, and I’m definitely seeing a trend in not-caring, especially in those around my age group. I’m trying my best to constantly incorporate more positivity and not allow my IRL friends to pester me with negative thoughts. My response to complaints or negativity tends to be “Well, no actually” or “Orrr you could do XYZ”. I’m trying to follow that myself, but it is hard. It is hard to be passionate and care and then put those feelings into actions. Inaction is so easy, and so is apathy. I think you gotta keep trying, invite people to do things, to inspire where you can. I think you’re probably a great person for that, Sage. Especially here online!



  3. xvavaveganx on January 13, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I agree with Molly, I’m loving all of your recent posts and I can’t agree with you more. I always hear that the universe throws back exactly what you put out there. Could you imagine if everyone just showed love, kindness, empathy, and generosity. The world would be a very different place.



  4. Cara on January 12, 2012 at 9:41 am

    I have to agree with Anna, if you can’t show actual love towards something, at least mind it, care for it and be respectful of it. If we all were a little more careful of our actions towards ourselves, others and the world in general it would be a far different place.

    And now I have “Where is the Love?” in my head…



    • Sage on January 12, 2012 at 11:20 am

      I get the best advice from my readers’ comments, and there’s always a different way to see something. Being mindful is so important, but I see a lot of selfishness and entitlement from people. I do try to show love to people I don’t like (not easy!), and I hope that by putting out good vibes then I’ll get good things back.

      “Where is the love, the love, the love….” 🙂



  5. Anna on January 11, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    Sigh… I was at the Holocaust Museum yesterday and I can’t agree with you enough. I won’t depress you (or myself) with a recap but just know that I thought about the same things as you.

    Actually it’s not even about love – it’s about MINDING each other. Just mind yourself, your neighbors, and your environment and we’ll all be good to go.



    • Sage on January 12, 2012 at 11:15 am

      Oh gosh, I remember visiting the Holocaust Museum. It was so moving and depressing. It made me sad, but I don’t regret going. We need to learn from these things.

      That’s a great way to put it–minding each other. You’re absolutely correct. I know far too many people who give no mind to the people and situations around them. It’s about consciousness.



  6. Shybiker on January 11, 2012 at 7:57 am

    Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely. This is the source of the problem and its potential cure. I reflect often on social and personal situations and come to the same conclusion. Which is why I live my life the way I do (and often get told I’m foolish for being so un-selfish.)



    • Sage on January 12, 2012 at 11:12 am

      You have such an amazing attitude, Ally. Being unselfish, loving, and kind is never foolish. I feel bad for people who close themselves off and won’t trust others–that’s no way to live.



  7. Molly on January 11, 2012 at 4:47 am

    i’m just adoring the posts you’re doing lately, sage. they’re so inspiring! there truly isn’t enough love in the world and i hope with time that humans evolve enough to change that.



    • Sage on January 12, 2012 at 11:09 am

      Thanks, Molly! I’m trying something new–and I think I like it! 🙂 I believe it’s in our nature to be loving and cooperative, but sometimes we need a reminder.