Self-realization hurts sometimes

I have come a long way in my life.  I have overcome a whole lot of hardships, most self-inflicted, to get to where I am.  Still, on some days, it is harder to look in the mirror than other days.  But I think that is a good thing.  If I was totally content ALL THE TIME, I fear I would not be seeing a true picture of the real me.  I like me...warts and all.  I am stubborn, opinionated...short, loud...(feel free to make a list of adjectives to insert here...I know I am a handful)...but I try.  I try really hard.  I fight for what I believe in, and I try my best to love with all my heart.  I am as imperfect as I am eager to please God...and I think that is where it becomes difficult.

I have a, sometimes overwhelming, need to be liked and that makes me a dork, but it is who I am.  I tend to not be appreciative enough of the gifts that I have been given and that makes me a proud mess...but I am working on it.  I, WAY TO OFTEN, think that my way is the only way...and am regularly proven wrong (sometimes I get it right...LOL) and that is a hard chore for me...but I pray daily for guidance on this one.  I am am impatient...but trying...I am a work in progress...in progress...in progress...but I AM trying...for those whose toes I have stepped on along the way, I am sorry...for others, like me, who have stomped on mine...all is forgiven.

My point...I love with all my heart...and I carry that passion on to other areas where I need to continue to learn about compassion...sharing...and the INCREDIBLE value of the other people in my life...If you are like me, this process hurts sometimes...can feel depressing...but this season will pass into a season of Joy...or of Discovery...or LOVE.

Love yourself...Love one another...God will take care of the rest.

e

I am sure to make some folks mad, but I just need to make a point.

I acknowledge before I click PUBLISH, that I am quite sure that I am about to upset some folks...BUT...please READ what I am typing. 

I am a Christian.  I am an American.  We do not have a national language.  We do not have a national religion.  The constitution does not make considerations for our "taste" in the legality of things. 

A Muslim Cultural Center (or even a Mosque) near ground zero is legal.  Period. 

That untold numbers of people have been killed in the name of Christ over the centuries doesn't make all Christians terrorists.  Nor, was it "tasteful" to the inhabitants of the countries where we Christians built churches where we Christians slaughtered native residents. 

We don't want to lump ourselves in with the perpetrators of the Spanish Inquisition, or the Crusades, but those Christians killed untold thousands in the name of Christ. 

Practice less complaining and more tolerance and maybe these things just might happen with less frequency.  If you truly disagree with a muslin "whatever" near ground zero, advocate through our politicians to change the constitution to reflect your perception of what it means to be AMERICAN. 

We all have the right to fight for change and I wish more people would, rather than complaining about issues that are 100% PROTECTED by the very constitution you would likely die to defend.  This is where I love democracy, because the opinion of the masses can diffuse and mask the influence of emotions on sensitive, mostly "opinion" issues.

I am quite sure the slamming will begin now.

e