Just a Thought or Two

 Sometimes in life things happen that seem to set the course for many things to come as far as how we might react. Good or bad, these reactions can at times be traced back in someway to an event. To think about it in those terms is sobering. Often, this is when our insecurities are born. And so, it can be exhausting sometimes, okay, all the time. But, when we can begin to truly overcome even some of the insecurities, there is joy on the other side, friends. Real joy. And peace. So much peace. Are the insecurities still there? Yes. Will they ever disappear? Probably not. But, when we are open about them, when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and when we allow ourselves to trust, we can begin to heal. There is beauty in vulnerability.  When we allow ourselves to be open, vulnerable and trust, even if it's just a little, we begin to see that even if we're scared, we can still be safe. And when we're safe, it's so much easier to explore our insecurities, it's easier...

In recent years, I have been made more aware of just how polarized our world has become. More and more, especially now, in the never ending craziness that is 2020, we are being forced to choose sides, to always speak up, telling others they must speak out. Today, it is commonplace for people to choose sides, often then refusing to listen to an opposing view.  But worse than that, we live in a world that, saddest of all, is forcing us to choose  a side over our friends. Increasingly, we live in a world where it is no longer acceptable to have friends who believe differently than us, even in the slightest of ways, big or small. We are repeatedly told by those in our lives who to talk to, who to befriend. And we are shamed when we dare go outside of the norm- that hurts on a deep level. Why must we choose between our church and our friends? Why must one not be allowed to go to the movies with a friend simply because their parents have made different choices than what some may dee...