What do you bring to the table?

It's far too easy to look at every relationship from our own eyes.  We see how other people treat us, talk to us and engage us and we measure their efforts at how well they meet our expectations with too much scrutiny.  "He always does this...she always says that... they never do...".  We make a million and one observations of how people act towards us and we are quick to judge and worse yet, quick to blame.

But how do people see YOU?  What are you putting out there?  Compliments or criticisms?  Are you nice or negative?  Remember, how you treat others is very much how the world treats you.  I may complain that I don't get invited out by friends but perhaps I need to realize the reason they don't is because I've canceled too many times.  Your perception of a friend or family member being uncaring and distant might be because they only thing you bring to the relationship is self-centered drama, negativity and selfishness.

I'm not implying that you need to hide the hurt in your life but is that all you have to offer?  Sure it's ok to be frustrated with others but must every conversation begin and end with a criticism?  We all have pains, sorrows, frustrations and anger but sharing those things should only be done if it's truly our intent to overcome them.  Far too often we engage in conversations over the bad things in life purely to complain with no intentions to resolve the issues other than to try and convince the listener to be just as bitter and resentful as us.

It's the end of another year.  Wouldn't this be the perfect time to throw away old habits and make a decision to be a better version of yourself?  Stop looking at others to change themselves in order to be pleasing to you.  Change yourself to be the happy, positive person YOU want to be.  What you put out there is what you'll get in return.  Maybe you might lose a friend or two in the process and there may be a family member that resents you for your change but you WILL gain many more positive friends and you'll strengthen many loving
family bonds along the way.

Begin the new year right.  Be a new you, a better you and see the world light up before you.

Happy New Year!

No one's forcing you...

It's ironic to me that the folks who choose not to believe seem to complain the most about those that do.  Seems to me that if you declare yourself an atheist why would you even care that someone else chooses to live a life of faith?  The words "God bless" or "Merry Christmas" should have no meaning to you so why throw a fit when you hear them?  Remember the old "Sticks and stones" phrase?  So how does "Jesus" or "Christmas"cause you harm?

The other day I heard an ad on the radio that said "It's not PC to say 'Merry Christmas...'"  When did politics have anything to do with Christmas?  Hey folks, this IS a religious holiday.  Why should anyone have to sugar coat the true meaning of the season?  I would love it if you were a believer but that's your choice.  I feel no ill will against you either way.  I just don't understand why you express such hatred towards those who choose to live a life guided by faith.  I can't help but think you're
struggling with some kind of guilt or insecurity that compels you to hate me for what I believe.  No one is ramming anything down your throats.  Hey, in schools there's no more prayer nor special interest groups based on faith.  Nativity scenes or any reference to faith are no longer displayed in public venues with the exception of churches and in front of the homes of those who choose to believe.

As I said, I harbor no resentments nor feel self-righteous over those who choose not to believe.  I know that not every atheist is a religion-hater nor is every person of faith a self-righteous pompous ass.  If you want to ask me questions about my faith I'll be glad to share with you but I won't preach, scold or coerce you into believing anything I believe.  Living a life of faith is a personal choice as is choosing not to believe.  No amount of salesmanship or brow beating will make anyone believe anything.  Nothing about how I choose to live my life should matter to anyone else unless it somehow causes harm.   I say live and let live.  Life is all about choices.  We don't have to agree with each other but we do need to respect each other.

My prayers and well wishes are for everyone regardless of their beliefs.  Hey, a season devoted to love and compassion can't be a bad thing, right?