As a yoga teacher, I would like to say that I have positive, loving feelings toward most people and situations at all times, but that wouldn't be honest. The truth is we all have plenty of love/hate relationships (I'm not talking about loving terrorists here, folks, I'm just talking about everyday stuff like pizza and husbands).
Relationships. Speaking of husbands, yes, I would say I've had a love/hate relationship with my mostly wonderful spouse for nearly forty years. Most of the time I adore him. But there are times when he is snarky and judgmental, and in those moments I've actually been known to voice to my best friend (though not to him) "I just hate him!" In those rare moments, I feel a lot of venom. Fortunately, it usually goes away fairly swiftly.
Yoga. Yes, I have a love/hate relationship with yoga, too. I'm not one of those teachers who constantly say, "It's all good!" Sometimes yoga is not all good. Sometimes I leave a class I've attended with an ache in my knee or a feeling that I should have stayed home and made soup. More often, however, I leave with a blissed out glow. Things just aren't always one way, even in yoga.
Writing. Writers are always whining about writing, and how hard it is. But writing or any art is an incredible gift and if you're lucky enough to make a living at it (as few are) all the better. That doesn't mean every assignment is fun: I used to work at a trade magazine that focused on paint (yes, really), a topic that didn't exactly inspire me. Even when I'm writing about things that I do love, like family and yoga, I whine sometimes about how hard it is to dig deeply and come up with meaningful messages. I suppose there are some people who love their work, whatever it is, every second of every day. I just don't know them.
Food. I'm not a foodie, but I do love to eat. I don't love to spend hours in the kitchen chopping and preparing, or cleaning up, and I don't have the money or inclination to dine out every night. Although there is great satisfaction in preparing a healthy meal for myself and/or my family, I sometimes feel like throwing in the dishtowel. On those nights the answer is chicken or tofu nuggets (organic) and French fries and I make no apologies. There are 365 days in a year and I'm not spending every one of them in the kitchen.
Holidays. Again...love/hate. I do love the holidays; mostly I love getting to see my whole family together. I also love presents (both giving and receiving), holiday lights, sleigh bells, and Santa. However, I hate the stress. And as much as I try to avoid it by shopping early, doing yogic breathing techniques, and sticking to a schedule so I don't get overwhelmed, I always get overwhelmed, and end up thinking at least for a few moments that I hate the holidays. However, once again, I love them more than I hate them and if anyone said I had to give up Christmas, I would go into a serious depression (okay, I exaggerate, but I'd be really sad).
Life just isn't all light and goodness all of the time for most people. The problem arises when we slip into lasting negativity about everything; then it's time for a wake up call to shine the light of gratitude on what we do have that's amazing in our lives. When I find myself slipping into that negative state I take my very first yoga teacher's advice: I look at the sky. For some reason, when I gaze up into that vastness, I'm always reminded that the world is filled with possibilities, and what might look like hate one moment might turn into love in another. Hate is a strong word and some might prefer to just use "dislike" but when you love with all your heart, I'm sorry, but the opposite is pretty strong as well. Love should be the override emotion for sure, but hate has its place when it's short-lived and contained (i.e. you're not hurting anyone including yourself: "I hate brussels sprouts!" for instance, though I actually love them).
One exception: I can honestly say I've never hated my kids or being a mother. But I have hated picking up dirty laundry off the floor or driving teenagers to the movies at 11 p.m. when I should be tucked in bed and their night is just beginning. And I also kind of hate that my kids are all grown up now, though I also love them at exactly the age they are. Guess kids are a love/love kind of thing!