Bruises

Hi Everyone! :) I know its been a while, I've been super busy with graduation and all the roller coaster hills that come with that and I almost forgot to take a deep breath and take in everything that has happened to me. There are always those times when it gets to be so difficult and you just want to quit everything. There are times I feel like falling asleep and never waking up. But then what do I have to live for? Those one in a million times when someone or something brings you down to the point where you don't think you can get back up and every little thing seems to tear you back down... Those are the times when God and prayer are most important. I feel like everyone can relate to this feeling at one point. Whether it be school, friends, work, economic issues, etc that slow or tear you down, God always has a plan and a way to keep you back on your feet. Everyone is alike in this way.

Actually, to go down a different path, I think our similarities bring out our differences. We as humans are so complex that it can be to our disadvantage. We seem to have established throughout the generations that the more different you are from the majority, the more "unwanted" and looked down upon you become. We see it everyday: race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, occupation, education, etc... all sorts of factors now attribute to banishment or discouragement from the "higher society". I don't know why we've come to establish this "higher society" but it has nonetheless happened. Another curious thing I've come to notice in people is that we try to "compete" for the better...or I guess in this case worse sob story. Why?? What's the point? What do we gain? Bragging rights to a less fortunate life than others? Other's pity and sorrow for something we're ashamed of? It doesn't make any sense... But instead of helping others out of their sorrow and shame, we instead have to prove that we have more of a pathetic story that deserves more attention until it's a never-ending vicious cycle battling out which situations are the most saddest.

Lately I've been really attached to the song "Bruises" by Train (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmXaaEvnnOQ). It's an interaction between two old friends, who basically are going over all the negatives in their life since they last saw each other. They both realize that "Everybody loses, we've all got bruises." I think we can all reflect on this when we start comparing our hardships with others... We all go through similar emotions and the thing that sets others apart is how well they can get through the storm and move on, because in the end, we're all one in the same. We all have the commonality of being human, making mistakes, messing up, experiencing tragic events, going through pain, suffering and then there are those joyous times that make up for the pain. But God made us all with the vision on unity. I know I've made mistakes, we all make them, but we have to learn to forgive, learn, heal, and love. Colossians 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

My challenge: forgive someone that you haven't been able to forgive, for whatever the issue is, because we all have bruises and scars in our lives. Find something relatable in someone you might not necessarily get along with. Opposites find their strongest attractions when they work together. But mostly regret nothing. Live with God, for God, throughout God eternally.