A Small Speck of Ponderings...

I am beginning to think that we are not all here to learn the same thing. To all come to the same epiphany, or even some one true way of looking at the world. It seems to me that we are all on our own paths, that merge and connect and split apart and all together form the amazing symphony that is this life.

There are so many different kinds of people - all with different strengths and weaknesses, different ways of looking at the same situation, different ways of dealing with hurt and anger and love and friendships. Sometimes my initial reaction to people who do (or think) things differently from myself is to say, that's wrong, you should think like me... but maybe I should just take the opportunity to learn something deeper about that person and myself from learning about their different point of view. 

In nature different species fill different niches in the environment, which makes it possible for many more different species to survive and thrive than would have been possible before. Perhaps that is how we should be looking at the differences between us... as opportunities to thrive instead of stumbling blocks for each other.

For instance I may be the kind of friend who is just going to accept you for the way you are, even with the worst faults you could have, and never call you on them, but another friend might see you doing something that they don't agree with and give you a good swift kick in the butt. Could it be that if you had both kinds of friends you may be a better person for it. Secure enough (because you know you are accepted) that you can hear criticism and let it change you if necessary.

It also helps to grow into one's own way of being if you are able to drop the preconceived idea that somehow you have to be just like everybody else. I am not like everyone else, and neither are you. When I look at how I act and what I think I try not to tell myself that I should not think/act like that because it is not what everyone else does. First I try to think of why... and also look at how it affects the people around me and my overall attitude. I find that when I am living in a way that... uh, I wanna say is true for me, but some people might call it being in God's will (I like to say going with the flow), I notice that the people around me respond positively and I feel at peace. 

So the point of all this is that I wonder what would happen if we all learned to be who we truly are and live in that way, what would happen.... I would be excited to find out!