As I was pondering all of the terms we have for the various issues or ailments we as human beings struggle with, I have come to the conclusion that we are all, in some way, simply genetically challenged. So much of our struggle and strife with ourselves and with others seems to come down to those simple little nucleic acids of our genes. Body size and shape, abilities and disabilities, physical health and wellness, mental and emotional health and wellness, etc. Chances are pretty good that at some point there has been a judgment towards one's self or another about what is being experienced in life.

Whether or not it is believed that we have a soul, or whether or not God exists, the fact is that we still have to live our lives with these bodies and what they are made of. To each of us our struggles and achievements seem greatest and one never truly knows how those around them, familiar and unfamiliar, are experiencing their own challenges. Just because one does not see someone else's struggles as a problem doesn't mean that he or she isn't experiencing it as the most overwhelming issue in their life. And, it isn't that everything we are is a challenge, but look around, there appears to be a whole lot of people struggling with one thing or another in this world.

Maybe if we pause for a moment, to take a deep breath and see the bigger picture, we can remember that regardless of the challenges we each face in our lives we are all pretty lucky to be having this phenomenal experience of being alive. Perhaps, if we live our lives with appreciation rather than entitlement, we just might start to create a different world. One, in which, we may all want to be a part of - knowing that we belong.






To quote a comment from a parking garage wall in downtown Berkeley



"If you don't love yourself…who else will?"




My comment:

If you love yourself…so too can those around you.





Cyndi