Blatant Differences.

   Yesterday, I got to spend my birthday with Colette and our kids.  We went out and had a nice meal and saw a movie.  Generally just enjoying spending time together and appreciating each others company.  The funny thing is that while in the midst of it,  I was reminded of something I read a long time ago.  I apologize in advance for not remembering from who.  Here is my attempt to quote it.

   "Other people are never as we imagine them to be.  For if we are imagining them to be anything thing, then it is our imagination and not who they are.  Accept them as they are and then you need not be surprised at who they turn out to be."

   In some cases some people have been meeting their mental image of their spouse/partner for so long that when the difference between who they really are and who they are imagined to be becomes so blatantly obvious that they are not able to cope and relationships fall apart.  "You're just not the same person I married/knew."  I can't imagine thinking this way.  I change all the time, why shouldn't everyone else?

   It seems to me, that most of us aren't exactly sure who we are so what makes us think that we have the right to determine who anyone else is?  One of the greatest steps to enlightenment or personal peace is reconciling our place in creation with the life that we think we have.  Perspective.

   Can we accept others on the grounds of no judgement if we cannot do the same for ourselves?  Do we NEED to judge ourselves to live well or completely?  Are we just pre-occupying ourselves and passing time when we could be living instead of spending trying to determine who we are or should be?

   Each day, I like the concept of what I call a "glass meditation".  This is where I imagine myself as glass or some clear substance and as life comes at me, I let it all pass through me.  This leaves me to decide what has effect or impact on my life.  I get to decide what out of everything that happens has impact or not.

   Although we cannot always determine what happens to us, we can decide what, if anything impacts our lives.

   May you accept yourself without reservation, judgement or incrimination today.  When you do, may the vale of judgement and assumption be lifted from your eyes on those around you.  When you do, may love and peace fill your day!

Peace and clarity,

Billy B