personally, I've come to this conclusion:
A more extreme example than that even, let's say someone was very mean to me for no good reason, and it hurt me physically, emotionally and/or mentally. If I can be my "true self" and not trapped in the ego, I will still love them, but I will love them from a distance. Being mad at a scorpion or crocodile for stinging, snapping or biting you is stupidity on the part of the victim. It is it's nature. But we can love them and respect them for where they are in the evolutionary journey of our Universe, and still recognize them as a brother or sister and show love from a distance.
Fiona Apple has a lyric I love, "We can still support each other, all we have to do is ignore each other". Sometimes, this is the truest expression of love, on a planet where 99.99999% of all souls are still on the path of learning.
Personally, I do want to seek out more loving, big-hearted or sweet, thoughtful people in person, like this cool website has (:
Much Love to you fellow travellers of the Spiritual Portal!
One of the most difficult experiences i have had with relationships is to recognize that there are people who claim to be spiritual seekers who are actually very mean people. They may have treated you quite well at one point in your life but if their present life does not seem to need you; they can actually turn on you. This is treachery in friendship but is out there my friend. It is best to compare notes and realize we are not always surrounded by kind forces. Thanks Art....This really makes sense; "we can love them and respect them for where they are in the evolutionary journey of our Universe, and still recognize them as a brother or sister and show love from a distance."
We should be very grateful though, for the kind forces that are with us and should continually cultivate them.
Steve Hydonus