Let's be friends, people!

Hmm. Life is so interesting and turbulent right now. It's kind of incredible really; this last week has been eventful enough to fill a month, and this last month has been enough probably to fill almost a year. Not in any really obvious way though. Sometimes paradigm shifts fall thick and fast.

One of the big things that's struck me again recently is the overwhelming need for gratitude in our lives; for the very air we breathe, and especially for those who breathe it with us. People, we have so much to be grateful for. If you are reading this, listen up. Exhibit A; you can read. Props to you. Literacy and education are the lot of a privileged few in our wide world. B; you have access to a computer and knowledge of how to use it. You have the most sophisticated networking, computing, research, and communication technology known to man at your fingertips. C; you probably live in America, or some other first-world English-speaking country, or you have lived there because that's where you met me. Don't even get me started on that. D; you have the time and leisure to read this at all and give thought to your identity, your life-direction, your own potential, and you are able to choose how to use the time you have been given. Seriously folks, we've got it good. And no, I'm not trying to guilt-trip anyone into gratitude, because that totally doesn't work.

It just hits me now and then how ridiculously blessed I have been in so many ways. For starters: I can't really remember a time when I have NOT been surrounded by really wonderful, loving, supportive, amazing, outstanding people. You are all awesome. Thank you for your love, patience, and kindness. Most of you will probably never know how much I have learned from you personally. Many of you I continue to learn from. A few of you have changed my life in more significant ways than you may ever realize.

I believe that people are basically good. I believe that each of us is a son or daughter of God, that He loves us and expects us to live up to our full potential, which is usually much greater than any of us would dare to imagine. I believe that each person has the potential to do much good, to become truly great, and that there is a spark of divinity in each soul which propels us towards living meaningful lives and surrounding ourselves with that which is beautiful, praiseworthy, light, and good. I believe there is a light in your eyes. You have the power to make something of yourself. One of my favorite quotes (I wish I remembered who it was from exactly): “There is little difference between the great men and women of the world and those who have wasted their lives. Those who have been successful have simply made better decisions.”

So yeah, okay, I am kind of waxing preachy. I'll just say this much more: guys, be nice to each other. People are cool; every one has something glorious and great inside them, and at some point every one has or will have something inside them that is incredibly wounded and raw. We've all been there. Let's try to see each other not only as human beings, but as people. Let's try to see each other as what we could be. And let us remember that nobody can get there alone.

In summary, let's be friends. And let's all try a little harder to understand what that means.