respect

human beings are amazingly complex. we have created a complex world of business, politics, relationships, education, and expectations. our bodies and minds have morphed into new creatures through stress, all kinds of food, and often little exercise. There are now spectrums for everything... Where is your sexuality on the spectrum? Your politics? Your education? Your values? Your beliefs about relationships? Your beliefs about having children? Your beliefs about war? Your beliefs about the place of the US as the world "policer?" Your beliefs about proper food? Your beliefs about how one should choose a career? Your beliefs about how women should balance children and family? Your beliefs about who and what you should be devoted to?

la la la la

but i have to say, despite the fact that things are getting more complex, despite the fact that families are moving away from each other, despite the fact that some people pay about $50,000 a year for their children's education while others are lucky to go to a community college, there are elements of getting better. for example, we have the first african-american democratic candidate for president. and then there's the whole women/men thing. it used to be that women were men's property. then women tried to get equality with men. then women were competitive. now i think we're trying to get back to learning from each other, connecting and not competing. at the same time so many people are worried about dependence. well, i better not have too close of relationship with _________ (family, spouse, children, friends) because i don't want them to get dependent. __________ can be so needy. true, we need to be able to stand on our own two feet and learn how to be happy alone. but sometimes this insularity of (just my tribe of _) is really limiting. one parent cares about one kid and wants to give them their all and will follow them to any length of the earth.

people are afraid of friendships. blood is thicker than water after all. people are also afraid of family. family is what can really tear up your inner child. some say heal all that. some say forget about all that. some say keep going on your journey.

i've got to say, though, that i really respect each and every human being who is still going... really. respect. i respect people who get up in the morning and go to work. i respect people who do the work to maintain relationships. i respect people who raise children. i respect people who teach. i respect people who save. i respect people who try. i respect people who say they're sorry. i respect people who feed other people. i respect people who throw parties. i respect people who go to parties. i respect people who pray. i respect people who exercise. i respect people who ride bikes. i respect people who walk. i respect people who accept themselves just as they are. i respect people who try to change. i respect people who grow. i respect every human being who has thought maybe i just shouldn't be on this planet anymore--it would be so much easier. and then they go find someone to talk to. then they think of who would be hurt if they were gone. they think of what they have to contribute. they think of what they're grateful for. they think of what they'd like to do next. they think of the changes they'd like to see in the world and try to be the changes they'd like to see.

every human being on this planet is worthy of respect because we've all tried to learn something. we've tried to learn to walk. we've tried to learn to cope if we cannot. it's a beautiful place. sometimes it feels like a terrible place. but anyone who waits long enough will experience some shift in perspective. and wow to them. i respect that.

50% effort. 50% letting go.

ps. more things i respect: i respect people who try something new. especially when they're older. i respect people who take risks. especially when they don't have any money, but they're following a dream. i respect people who retire. if you've got the money you need, those of us who are young with student laons appreciate the opened up economy. i respect people who think. i also respect not thinking and relaxing. personally, i've got my lists of favorites. family is up there. i respect life-long (and slightly less long) relationships. there's nothing better than that. perhaps aside from new relationships :). but family is pretty amazing. so is being part of any community that's positive, supportive, and productive.