Facing the World

 I have always been an observer of life and of the world.  I am well-read, well-educated, and I am an observer.  Since I was a child I have always observed by writing down my thoughts, words, and what I felt in the moment. That has become my solace and my coping device.  It is my breath and my meditation.  (And I still meditate the regular way, too, with breath).

I am not coded to avoid things.  I have endured the realities of facing things.  Nobody protected me from realities.  So when I hear people say they are avoiding social media or their televisions or cable, I know that they must  have lived in a very protective environment as children.  They do not know how to cope with realities.

I grew up with many kids who lived in controlled environments where their daily lives were always the same stable life.  Is that good?  

I do not think that living in controlled environments is good for the mind, body, or spirit.  We have to learn to cope by seeing, feeling, expressing, and communicating what we are faced with in every moment.  That doesn't mean escape, flee, or avoid.  Avoiding things is denial.  Denial is the shock absorber of the heart and mind, but if we use that all the time to cope then it doesn't benefit our longevity and productivity of life.  

Who is always there with me and who I can never escape from? God and myself (and my mind).

Some people avoid and remove God in their lives because they hold grudges against God; that is sad to hear.  

I love to teach college kids how to use their talents and tools to think about life.  They are allowed to believe what they want to believe and I always tell them that I will never hold it against them because who they are is what has made them the beautiful people that are today.  I would never take that away from them.  I only want to inspire, encourage, and motivate them.  I want them to reflect and think for themselves.  I want them to see that their opinions are valid, as well as someone else who does not share their opinions.  I instill respect, safety, and non-judgment in my classrooms because it is a learning environment.  Learning environments should always hold a special safety and special feeling where our voices and opinions are heard.

It is just like when we go into a church.  It feels special and exudes non-judgement and love.

Why? Because God.