It's been a hot moment

Let me tell you about me. And about you. And I’m not an expert on either. You are imperfect. And so am I.

I used to think that I had to draw a line in the sand of what I would and would not allow in my life. I WOULD NOT allow someone to lie to me. But then I met the sweetest friend, that always lied. Not because the intention was to hurt, but because it came from a place of insecurity and fear.

I WOULD NOT gossip or allow gossiping. But then where is the line that gossip is venting, or trying to understand someone. And then when your “vent” session is overheard, what then?

Pretty much, it’s just better to not say anything at all. Yet, I am imperfect, and so are you.

Forgiveness – the ultimate way to love and show that we care. I think about how much the people in my life forgive me, and how much my Heavenly Father forgives me for making the same mistakes over and over, and it fills my heart with the sweetest love. It makes me want to be better, to not judge others, to forgive others, and to love others the way that my Heavenly Father loves me.

This does not mean though, that I allow someone to hurt me over and over, because that can be emotionally and spiritually dangerous, but it does mean to let go of the little things. To try to understand others, to include others, to love others, to be more forgiving of others, because you do not know what challenges and heart aches and fears they are facing. It also means to let go of the big things – which can take time – but protect yourself from unnecessary harm.

Why the rant? Because I’ve realized over the last year that these silly things, like judging, gossip, and lies are just dumb. The fact that someone is different than you, or chooses a different opinion than yours, or dies their hair different, or slightly offended you, is ridiculous. It’s not worth it.

Because maybe that person will be gone. Maybe they’ll die in a lake, or of cancer, or in a car accident, or suicide. It is awful to be sitting in a room realizing that you didn’t treat someone the way that you should’ve, that you didn’t love them more, or forgive them more and now they are gone. And that selfishly you have that regret that you weren’t a better person. You feel guilt that there are other’s that truly deserve to mourn because they were a better friend that you were; that you should’ve had more time to talk to them and be there with them and accept them.

But then on the lemonade side of things, isn’t it beautiful that there is life beyond death? That there is an Atonement and Resurrection? That there can be other chances? That you can change and begin now to be different? And treat others differently? It has become so important to me to live simply. To love. To forgive. To let go. To accept. To cherish the small moments with someone.  Because in this last year or so, I lost 10 or so people that taught me how important it is to share and radiate light in one another’s life. May we draw towards the ultimate light that teaches love and forgiveness.  May we draw close to our Savior.

To: Bud, Lino, Anne, Jacob, Scott, Marybeth, Lori, Teri, Thelma, Ben, etc. Thank you for what you shared with me. xoxo

Stay tuned for a not so serious post to come.....