Enemy- an actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.

We all have had the experience of being opposed by someone. Jealousy, envy, anger, or greed usually are behind these feelings. In the world, enemies, real and perceived, are used to perpetuate fear and manipulate support for a specific policy or action. What would the world be like if we did away with the idea of enemies altogether? Of course, we will never know, but we can find out what your life would be without them. Enemies exist because we choose to allow them. Eliminating your enemies starts with you looking closely at your thoughts, words, and actions when dealing with others. Your perception is the key. How you see others is often how we view ourselves.

We are the same as our enemies.

One of the paradoxes of life is that each person is unique and one of a kind, but we all, at our core, are the same. So we may have different skin shades, and our eyes are different colors as well. Our height is never uniform. There are many differences, but we all are the same and come from the same source of life. If we all realized this, there would be fewer problems in the world. This may be unrealistic for the masses but not for the individual.

If you view another as your enemy, you look at them with negativity. They may say something terrible about you. They may try to hurt you. Whatever your “enemies” do, don’t resort to responses to cut them back. Forgive those who try to harm you, learn from them, and move on from them. Learn to practice your defense and avoid going on the offense at all costs. If you view them as an enemy, how do they see you? We are all the same, competing for perceived gains with no real value. But they cost us everything. In the value we see in ourselves, we can provide for the world.

Change your Perception of Enemies

Again it is easy to categorize people and label them as one thing or another because it makes you more comfortable with yourself. Change your perception of them and spend your time looking for yourself in each person you meet. There is always common ground, and you will see yourself in all others. This vision will happen when you stop looking at people as enemies and start viewing them as they are.

All people are teachers, and they will teach you valuable lessons. The very least of which might be how not to act or treat others. Pay attention, learn the lesson, forgive them if need be, and move on with your life. Any time spent aimed at revenge or punishment only limits what positive action you can take in the world. Anger leads to sudden blows that might make you feel powerful for a moment but, in the end, result in wasted energy. When the clock runs out on your life, is that what you will think of?

Sometimes You have to Fight.

I know that I may have to fight for protection or to maintain a principle in life. But I struggle to persevere, not to conquer another. If a person sees no enemy, there is no hate and hope for a better world. Violence is not the answer, and it only leads to more destruction. This relationship is demonstrated all over the world, all the time. One violent act is used to justify another, then another. Pain and death are the results, and there are no positives—only suffering.

If you see no enemies, only people, your actions will not fly out of anger, hate, or revenge. Then you can act out of strength, understanding, and compassion for others. Who are at their core precisely like you? Learn from all people, respect their capabilities, and in understanding lies the path to resolution.

Look at the conflicts in your life. Evaluate how you perceive those involved. Are they your enemies? Are they your teachers? Are they just like you? Are they all of these things? What actions can you take to lead to a resolution to the conflict that is honorable for yourself and all involved? Focus on leaving the world a better place than when this “enemy” came into your life. It all starts, as it always does, focusing on your thoughts, words, and actions. Raise your consciousness about the activities of your enemies, and you will see a better version of yourself. Your real enemy is created in your mind. Never let him control you.

“The old perception of conflict as combat only narrows our vision, limits our choices, pulls us into endless struggles between competing polarities.” ~Diane Dreher

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those who speak evil about you, and persecute you.”~ Jesus Christ