Don't Hate, Cultivate: Turning Negativity Into Community Help

 

Juan reflects on how easy and even enjoyable it can be to "hate" or judge others—citing examples like comic book movies, social media, the news, and everyday relationships—but argues it's ultimately unsatisfying. Inspired by a "Don't hate, cultivate" shirt from Cultivate Coffee in Phoenix, they propose cultivating as a remedy: creating, connecting, referring others, supporting events, and helping "the helpers," echoing Mr. Rogers' idea of looking for helpers during crises. They emphasize that small acts—showing up, donating, introducing people, borrowing sugar from neighbors to build mutual support—strengthen community and reduce envy, fear, and doomscrolling. The call to action is to ask how you can help, ask for help yourself, and redirect negative energy into constructive action or support for someone you trust.