…and then one day, many years ago, I separated myself from everything representing hatred in the world.

I turned off my television. I turned off my radio. I stopped reading the news.

I turned away from toxicity. I abandoned even friendships with people I’d long considered friends. Those who weren’t willing or able to consider views other than those they’d been taught. I left behind the hatred they’d learned towards others who are different from their taught-normality.

And at that moment, when I’d found myself in emotional isolation from the world around me, I’d found peace.