by Bai Maleiha

Created on: January 31, 2009

The thought process is an interaction of forces outside man, but it is man himself who has the power to choose which images must control his psyche. Cultural hatred is a stereotyped emotion that oftentimes misleads the person who subscribes to it. However, man can always overcome hatred with empathy, subjectivity with objectivism and negativism with positivism.

It is a matter of choice.

Cultural hatred comes from a root cause. Religious and racial differences are two of the most common reasons why cultural hatred persists. The unending war between the Israeli people and the Palestinian race started with a divided belief in faith that transcended to territorial dispute. Partisan world leaders complicated the situation until it resulted to more bloodshed and lives lost. Innocent civilians killed in the battle zone were considered as "collateral damage" by the aggressors. In this process you can see how man could complicate a mere cultural hatred to a war of detestable form.

So it is by choice that man can control cultural hatred and instead adopt an objective viewpoint in confronting people whose beliefs and political stand differ from his.

Am I saying that it is man who creates the "cultural hatred" in the thought process? Yes. People decide on matters that affect their lives not only on the basis of emotionality but on the reality that surrounds them. The struggle to render unbiased judgment must be the personal mantra of every man. Difficult as it may sound, but surely it is not impossible.

The practical application of "coexistence" argues that man must thrive in an environment whether it displeases him or not. The work place, where you have to endure, from the personality differences of your co-employees to your agreement or disagreement with organizational policies. You are compelled to deal with office matters peacefully for the sake of the organization.

The same thing with the manager, he must be free from any form of cultural hatred, otherwise, his management will be questioned for its ineffectiveness in pooling the talents and skills of his subordinates to achieve the collective mission of the organization.

Biases and prejudices curtail individual rights. These negative forces of the thought process will tend to misjudge rather than to understand.

It is best to remind yourself that you will not find peace wherever you are if your mind is full of hatred for one group. No matter what you hold as a reason for the grudge you keep, you are required to assess the situation objectively to help you achieve a life that is free from stress and pressure. Studies have shown that deep-seated anger for someone or a group will multiply the growth of cancer cells. Anger is not a good emotion. It is the other name for hate.

Our thought process is ours therefore we own it. We can change it if we want to or we can allow it to control us if we tolerate it. The mind could get distorted by its own making, at the expense of our personal homeostasis.

We must rise above this negative thought and strive hard to achieve balance in our logic and ways in life with ourselves and other people. If you want to be happy, filter your thoughts and adjust your sail in life.

Everything is a matter of thought processing. Never forget the important ingredients: empathy and respect for the conditions and rights of other people.

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