oh the things we have to say...
this month i have watched or read many folks talk about the things that they are thankful for in this month of november.
i thought some about it and decided that to remind myself to type something each day was a little unrealistic.
so i thought i would take to this venue and let it all go.
all the things i am thankful for.
that's how this whole thing began...
and then the election took place.
not that it was a surprise.
but my oh my the things people say in this time.
i was baffled.
blown away.
shocked.
dismayed.
appalled.
hurt.
saddened.
disgusted.
i just could not believe the things that people would say.
i cannot understand.
i will never understand why people opt to be so cruel.
sure.
you might not agree with a particular candidate and that is fine.
that is actually part of what makes the election thing so great.
we have the choice.
we have the right to choose.
and for that i am thankful.
there however is no reason to treat the people that don't agree with you like they are less than you.
like they are less deserving of equality.
you know not where people come from.
it is not your place to dehumanize them.
they are a person just like you.
and frankly if they are not worthy of equality neither are you.
as i sit back and i look at the people in my life or the people that i encounter throughout my days.
i look at them as a piece of thread.
a different color
a different length
a different texture
just different.
and when we are all woven together to make the tapestry of humanity
we make the most beautiful one
alone we are all just a piece of string.
you are no better than the next.
i am no better than you
and you are no better than me.
and that is something that i am thankful for.
i am thankful that i am me
i am thankful for where i come from
i am thankful for where i am going
i am thankful for what i have been through
i am thankful for my laughter
i am thankful for your laughter that i give to you
i am thankful for the rain
i am thankful for the sun
i am thankful for my brain
i am thankful for my soul
i am thankful for the sound of my daughter sleeping
i am thankful for the waves crashing against the shore
i am thankful for the sand between my toes
i am thankful for community
i am thankful that i am part of a community
i am thankful for the bountiful feast that is set before me
i am thankful for the honor of being a coach
i am thankful for the honor of being a mentor
i am thankful for my right to choose
i am thankful for being different
i am thankful that my mostly companion is different than i am
i am thankful for the simple things in life
i am thankful that i am alive
i am thankful that i was raised the way i was
i am thankful for patience
i am thankful for acceptance (i wish there were a lot more of this these days)
i am thankful for kindness
i am thankful for simplicity
i am thankful for clean drinking water
i am thankful that i have the ability to be the change i wish to see in the world
i am thankful that people can fight for what the believe without demeaning others
i am thankful that i have travelled
i am thankful that i will continue to travel
i am thankful for my body, it's not perfect but it works and it's mine
i am thankful that i have had the privilege of falling in love
i am thankful that i have the privilege of being in love
i am thankful that i am mother
i am thankful for the beautiful creature that is my daughter
i am thankful for her laughter
i am thankful for smile
i am thankful for the roof over my head
i am thankful for faith
i am thankful that we all have the freedom to believe in something
i am thankful for the music that moves me
i am thankful for the music that flows through my veins
i am thankful for you
i am thankful for me
i am thankful for books
i am thankful that i fall into bed each night and sleep encompasses me
i am thankful for my education
i am thankful for the people i call my friends
i am thankful for life...
this list could go on.
and on
and on.
but i'll save you time.
it just goes to show that regardless of what i believe and what you believe
what your political agenda is
or mine
i am the same as you
you are the same as me
we have many things in common...
many are different
but many are the same.
people do not deserve unkind words based on what they believe.
our differences make us special.
our similarities do too.
so do everyone a favor and remember that at the end of the day we are all human.
and saying unkind and demeaning things just because you believe differently
hurts
offends
saddens
disgusts
breaks
dismantles
it does no good.
it does harm.
your laughter can be someone elses tears.
have your opinions.
keep them.
speak them.
but learn tact.
learn grace.
learn to be appropriate.
an election is not a reason to slam people.
an election should be used for positivity.
it should be used for you to fight for what you believe
it is one thing to speak up about the things you disagree with
it is important to have a voice
it is important to make your voice heard.
but do so in a way that makes a point
facilitates change
not in a way that is offensive
do not attack others
they have done nothing to warrant your words.
you know not who you hurt.
you know not who you offend.
you know not the damage you do.
speak your piece.
speak your mind.
but do so mindfully
otherwise it's simply unkind.
be good to one another.
cause frankly
we're all we've got.
want to save humanity.
be humanity.
be present and be active.
but do so with your heart and mind open and thoughtful
be considerate.
be thankful
be appreciative
and be accepting that we are all different and that is what makes us special.
because at the end of the day...
you are not perfect.
i am not perfect
you are flawed
i am flawed.
we all are.
and it's ok.
i guess there is nothing more i can say.
i have exhausted my words
i have exhausted my hands.
but i could not let this go unsaid.
as my heart was saddened.
my stomach sickened
my soul was disappointed
remember it does you no good to be mean.
with that i leave you.
happy reading.
