Ah. Mayonnaise.

It was a simple post about mayonnaise yesterday from a college friend of mine, who really wanted to talk about something other than the Pulse massacre.

But in that conversation it triggered an inner-conservation.

The usual suspects were given – Hellman’s, Kraft, Bama, Sauer’s, Duke’s. Then there were people who loathe mayonnaise or those who prefer mustard only or Miracle Whip instead.

Everyone had an opinion on it and most people’s opinions were different. There was no bickering. No one tried to force his or her opinions on the other one. It was a simple. “I like Duke’s for this reason. If you like this kind, you might like this” kind of suggestions.

Guess what? No one got in a fight and used profanity because someone liked a different kind of mayonnaise and it wasn’t what his or her mama taught him or her to use. There was a “loving” discussion.

I know this may seem silly, but why can’t we take that approach to everyday disagreements in beliefs and opinions?

If you don’t agree with someone, move on. Don’t try to change someone’s opinions or who they are to fit your own personal agenda. Is the concept of love that difficult? Is it really that challenging to show compassion? Is it really too much to ask to listen to someone else even if it’s not our own ideals?

I’m not meaning give up your own beliefs, but to be able to co-exist with those who differ from you and not spew hate because someone has a dissimilar sexual orientation, skin color, gender, religion, no religion, even a different church vision that yours.

I’m saying spread love, not hatred.

Love is understandable no matter the language barrier, sexual preference, gender, religion, or church denomination. It’s universal.

In Christianity, Christ commanded that we love our neighbors as ourselves and Paul said in a letter to the Corinthians that love never fails. In Romans, the Bible says that love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

In Judaism, Leviticus 19 instructs, “though shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

In Hinduism, “One should always treat others as they themselves wish to be treated.”

In Confucianism, “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

In Buddhism, “Hurt not others with that which pains you.”

Even Islam preaches this. “Serve God, and join not any partners with Him; and do good – to parents, kinsfolks, orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer, and what your right hands possess: For God loveth not the arrogant, the vainglorious.”

As I’ve watched people’s reactions to the worst mass shooting on U.S. soil, I’ve been disappointed at many and proud of a few.

I’ve seen so many street corner Pharisees who simply want to garner attention for themselves by shouting, ranting, raving, spewing hate toward gun owners, Muslims and homosexuals.

America is a melting pot, we always have been. This is not a newfound thing.

It’s what makes our country so unique – different people with different thoughts living in one country.

Perhaps we stand to be a little more loving and a lot more tolerant.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.