Maybe it’s just me, but I rarely ever see people dwelling on the good in others with whom they disagree. And, although this may not seem like a subject that merits further investigation, I have seen Thurber terrible consequences that this tendency to see only the bad in others brings about in my own heart and mind.
The mine rebels at the mere hint that our enemies or evil people could possibly possess any good qualities but why is that? Are they truly bad or is it possible that much of the so-called evil is a result of the relationship or web of relationships that bind us together? Even if we can’t go this far, most of us will admit that it takes two to tango and that we’re contributing in some way to the aversion and unskillfulness.
What I’ve found is that when in take the time to cultivate an appreciation of the good in others, my heart softens and, eventually, a way to forgiveness and mettā becomes possible. The relationship (whether with a fascist president or a resentful wife) becomes workable. I can forgive and live without the terrible burden of hatred, anger and bitterness.
I’ll post some suggestions for mudita meditations but what better way to begin than at the source:
As for a person who is impure in his bodily behavior & verbal behavior, but who periodically experiences mental clarity & calm, how should one subdue hatred for him?
Just as when there is a little puddle in a cow’s footprint, and a person comes along, burning with heat, covered with sweat, exhausted, trembling, & thirsty. The thought would occur to him, ‘Here is this little puddle in a cow’s footprint. If I tried to drink the water using my hand or cup, I would disturb it, stir it up, & make it unfit to drink. What if I were to get down on all fours and slurp it up like a cow, and then go on my way?’ So he would get down on all fours, slurp up the water like a cow, and then go on his way.
In the same way, when an individual is impure in his bodily behavior & verbal behavior, but periodically experiences mental clarity & calm, one should at that time pay no attention to the impurity of his bodily behavior…the impurity of his verbal behavior, and instead pay attention to the fact that he periodically experiences mental clarity & calm.
Thus the hatred for him should be subdued.
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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