Living with Love or Losing to Indifference

Love and Nonchalance are two simple adjectives—two contrasting characteristics—both shaped by how one exercises freedom. Freedom, when nurtured with wisdom, cultivates genuine care for others. Yet, when misused, it breeds indifference.

What does it mean to be nonchalant? It is a state of indifference, a detachment from the world and the people in it. A person is considered nonchalant when they selectively extend care—choosing to support themselves fully while withholding the same kindness from others. This trait is not an inherent quality but rather an outcome of personal choice.

How, then, can nonchalance be explicitly manifested? Simply observe the behavior of a person through key criteria:

1. Selfishness: The person refuses to offer help even when others are in dire need.

2. Attention-seeking: They contradict justifiable ideas to draw focus solely to themselves.

3. Apathy: They ignore the presence and struggles of those around them, throwing tactless words toward those they dislike.

4. Exploitation: They treat others not as equals but as mere tools for their own convenience—puppets to manipulate, slaves to command, objects to discard.

On the other hand, to be solicitous is to embody kindness, empathy, and truthfulness. A solicitous person is considerate, tactful, and morally grounded. They do not seek attention for their own benefit but rather put love into action—practicing charity with sincerity. They do not act out of a desire to be needed, but instead, they offer support when it is truly needed. At their core, they carry the virtue of Christ in their being.

Nonchalance is the byproduct of abusing one's freedom—using it to withdraw from responsibility toward others. Meanwhile, being solicitous reflects a responsible exercise of free will, a conscious decision to uphold goodness. To remain solicitous is to perpetuate God’s creative love in our being, keeping us rooted in His presence.

Thus, the choice stands before us: Will we live with compassion, staying within the warmth of God’s grace? Or will we let indifference take over, separating ourselves from goodness and falling into the void of self-absorption?

Which will you choose? I am eager to know.