A Lesson On Understanding

Contrary to popular belief, even the people we can tolerate least still have feelings - they still deserve to be treated as human beings.

This afternoon, having spoken to a woman of great strength, I realized that even though people don't always own the characteristics others prefer, there is still a great deal of good left in them deserving kind and respectful treatment. There are points in the lifetime of humans when they are presented with an opportunity to make a decision - to respect or take advantage of another. The hardest part about this is that sometimes the decision has already been made when one understands the question. Like I mentioned in my last post - life is about connections and the imprint they leave behind. I think we should all try to affect the world around us more positively, even when we feel negative.

This woman I spoke to has many faults. She has led a life of mistakes and was integrally involved in many people's pains. There were times in life when most people would have simply given up, without even thinking about glancing back. This same woman has overcome many of her personal obstacles, albeit not in the manner that some would prefer. For her it was the best she could do and much good resulted and continues to result from her course of action. Her largest fault now is that she has love for every person she meets, except that her definition of love has a few Riders attached. Trust in this - she loves with her whole heart. However, she also guards it and desires the same kind of love in return. I can tell you from experience its difficult to endure.

The people she cares for most often take advantage of her willingness to give, of herself, her resources, advice; anything she has she'll offer. Her expectation in return is respect, and the kind of southern appreciation where people help each other and give of themselves in return. Sometimes when this happens and conflict results, she uses an approach less than preferable. Other times, she is spot on. Lately, as life has aged her heart, allowing it to become softer and less abrasive, she has allowed people to step on her, willingly and knowingly. Our conversation related to this and she needed to turn some of that giving love onto herself.

Anyhow, back to the point; today I learned that even people who are difficult have great successes and personal traits left to discover. If only we can look past the facade physically facing us and dig deeper below the shell that houses what really defines a person. She is immensely strong. Even with knowledge that she has made many mistakes, she still dedicates her life to loving people in her own way. That's a good thing... to love.

Today I learned that I need to look at people more objectively - try to see the whole, rather than the countless number of mistakes we all have made.

"Humanity: The quality of being human; the peculiar nature of man, by which he is distinguished from other beings (BrainyMedia.com, 2010)




BrainyMedia.com., (2010)., Humanity., Retreived May 27, 2010 from http://www.brainyquote.com/words/hu/humanity174669.html