#10 | Read A Book

I know what you are thinking.  “Well this tip is quite discriminatory.  What about the illiterate community?”  Now, I did think about that factor.  However, I came to the conclusion that folks that cannot read a book will not be directing a web browser the world famous URL, www.hateloss.com

However, this IS speculation…  Back to business (hateloss).

Presumably, there is something in this world that you do not know (that you would like to know).  I noticed that many people act as if they do not lack anything (but that is beside the point).  The point is this.  If you lack the knowledge about a topic that you would like to be informed about then empower yourself by obtaining the information you desire.  There are many pros and cons to living in the “Information Age”, as we currently do.  Let us focus on the positives.

YOU CAN LEARN WHATEVER THE F*CK YOU WANT! 

I’m sorry if I come across a little bit over-exuberant about the topic, but it seems as if a large piece of (especially American) people have become completely disconnected from furthering their own education.  There is a distinct possibility that this is due to a sincere state of mental paralysis, which I choose to believe over the more depressing possibility that people really don’t care about educating themselves.

1. Identify a topic you desire to become more knowledgeable about.
2. Google search “Books about (your topic here)”
3. Find one that really inspires your interest.
4. READ THAT THING

If you finish this process and you do NOT feel satisfied and/or empowered, I will give you your money back. ; )

Hate Loss™ Reminder – On the road to hate loss it is vital to remember that Reading A Book is 100% hate-proof.

#9 | Big Up a Local Musician

Clearly amongst the least important members of a capitalist society are the [ahem] musicians. For better or worse there are not nearly enough jobs in the market to support the cultivation of music by the majority of musicians. On second thought that is for worse or worse. It takes great resilience and/or stupidity to continue the musical journey when the prospects of making a living from music are none to none. So often these sometimes boneheaded efforts go unnoticed. Literally unnoticed by anybody.

The good news: You can make a difference! Whether it is at your local coffeehouse, subway station, bus stop, pub, town-square and anywhere else you might find a fledgling musician, consider helping them out.

THIS IS THE KEY!

You don’t have to give them money to help… Yeah, of course they’re broke and if you can help them with some coin, great. However, this help is in regards to the increasingly foreign concept of human interaction. Even hitting them off with a little eye contact and acknowledgment of their existence might go a long way. Don’t let the sight of an acoustic guitar case that lies open with a single dollar bill and a hand full of coins keep you from enjoying the music this person obviously cares deeply about. Show them some love! If you’re feeling the music, then stop holding out and let them know. A little wink or a head nod would do the trick. Even better, a funky get-down gyration of the body might make their day, week, month or year. You never know how precious your honest appreciation of their musical efforts could be. So give it up; and big up a local musician.

Hate Loss™ Reminder – On the road to hate loss it is vital to remember that bigging up a local musician is 100% hate-proof.

#8 | Smile at Strangers

This is one of the all time great methods of widespread Hate Loss™. The title is very self-explanatory; however, there are a few tips that will enhance the situation for all parties involved.

PREPARATION

Brush your teeth, wash your face and brush your teeth (again). Showing off the spinach salad that you ate during the last meal might have actually work against Hate Loss™. Look your best. This is by no means essential, but it is certainly effective. The better you look, the happier the stranger will be that you are smiling at them (human nature). Ignore your iPod. It is very difficult these days to go out in public without your tunes, but as you already know, it creates a barrier between you and strangers (which often is a benefit). Smiling at Strangers is all about encouraging human interaction in a positive manner.

ACTIVITY

This Hate Loss™ tip is most effective while walking around on a promenade-like environment; where there are ample opportunities for eye contact. It is important to note that this is NOT a perma-smile. That just makes people think that you are high. The key is having a normal expression on your face while seeking out eye contact with the people around you. When you make that eye contact, you give them a clear, but subtle smile of acknowledgment. Don’t be surprised if they are caught off guard. These random acts of kindness are rare. The exchange will most likely be brief, and might even be awkward. The stranger will probably get a slight hitch in their giddy-up after you show them your spinach-free teeth; but they will certainly remember the smile for a considerable amount of time following the encounter. This is where the Hate Loss™ comes in. If you smile at 10 strangers, you made 10 people feel like they are doing something right on this planet. The positive benefits of your random act of kindness are exponential. These strangers will most likely treat somebody else more kindly than usual and then the domino effect takes place. Think of the possible impact of you smiling at strangers (in a non-creepy).

Happy Smiling!

Hate Loss™ Reminder – On the road to hate loss it is vital to remember that smiling at strangers is 100% hate-proof.

#7 | Hug a Tree

The whole go hug a tree cliché is 100% played out. Can we officially take this out of the “Book of Legitimate Criticisms”? The funny thing is; the people that say this type of thing would probably feel much better if they actually approached a tree and gave it a good squeeze. Let’s get real; how can you bet hatin’ while you are taking part in a warm embrace with a… TREE? I am going to step out on a limb (no pun intended – honestly) and say that it is absolutely impossible. Now that we have established that this is a genuine notion, we can proceed with this lovable and practical tip for hate reduction.

Preparation

This step is pretty simple. There is a good chance that you might want to switch up your outfit for the tree hug. Get into some clothes that you would do some “housework” in. Doing this will greatly increase the likelihood of Hate Loss™. Why? It will all make sense soon. Keep reading.

Activity

If you have a yard, great! If you have tree in that yard, that’s even better. If this does not apply to you, don’t trip. You should be able to find a tree within VERY reasonable walking distance. If that is not the case, you should in all probability start trippin’. The air that you breathe is… questionable. Bottom line: Find a freakin’ tree. They’re out there. I promise you that. You found tree; ideally it will be thicker than your leg. It is preferable that you do more embracing of the tree than yourself. Okay, you have the tree in your sights. IMPORTANT: Be gentle, but not touchy. The tree is alive, so treat it like a friend. Don’t act like your hugging somebody that is way out of your league (groping). Keep it respectful. Okay! Go for it. Look that tree right in the bark and… HOLD IT FIRMLY. Close your eyes for improved Hate Loss™.

Hate Loss™ Reminder – On the road to hate loss it is vital to remember that hugging a tree is 100% hate-proof.

#6 | Wear a Costume

Let’s get one thing straight right from the Get-Go. This is NOT Halloween or “Let me go find a costume party to attend.” That defeats the purpose. What makes this Hate Loss™ Tip so effective is that you put yourself in situations where people generally would NOT be wearing a costume. Trust me! You will see a spike in your D.S.A. (or daily smiles average for those who are new to the Hate Loss™ Movement). Okay, you have a costume; but where should you go? I am glad you asked, even though you didn’t. It is essential to remember that there are varying degrees of exposure for varying personality types. If you are on the shy side, a great activity is SHOPPING! Shop for clothes, shop for food, shop for sex toys (great choice), just be a consumer (in a costume). Make it a Saturday, or whenever there is going to be excess amounts of people around. FACT: The more people you encounter, the more hate loss you will incur. If you know that you can handle some extra attention, drop in on an intimate setting with your costume on. Perhaps a Wine Bar would suffice. There is nothing quite like a proper wine and cheese pairing to accentuated by your favorite wig. Be a rebel. These suggestions should only be considered starting points. Within your imagination lies the true potential of this Hate Loss™ tip.

IMPORTANT: Make it obvious that you are wearing a costume. There is a thin line between wearing a costume and dressing like a freak (note: I have nothing against the latter). Dressing like a freak is infinitely more susceptible to hate gain than wearing a costume. A great way to differentiate between the two options is the “Theme Check”. Do you have a cohesive theme? If you’re a pirate, are you dressed like a pirate? Yes indeed, you really do have to take off the designer jeans for this one. They go with every other outfit, but not this one. If you are convinced that designer jeans will work as part of the costume, I suggest you move on to another Hate Loss™ Tip. The results might be disappointing and rather harmful to your health. The number one way to avoid any confusion about your gig is by really going for it; no holds barred. Break out the gaudy make-up, fishnets, heels, jewels and definitely the shades that are bigger than your whole face. These items don’t end up on your body by accident; people will know you have a purpose. You, in turn will be losing the hate and feeling THE LOVE.

Hate Loss™ Reminder – On the road to hate loss it is vital to remember that wearing a costume is 100% hate-proof.