People in my life

Today's one of those days that has reminded me of a harsh reality - that our world has SOME truly ignorant and disrespectful people. However, it also brings to mind the blessings of true friendship. I am grateful more than ever before for having been introduced to each person in my life. Every relationship built - whether it be briefly shaking hands with someone and sharing a smile, or chatting for 3 hours over coffee about heartfelt issues - has meaning and purpose. Every person who has entered my life has helped me, inspired me, changed me, and taught me.

It's times like today, when my ears, eyes, and mind are exposed to how cruel the world can be, that I can look at the people around me and be thankful that my true friends would never intentionally disrespect a fellow human being...a fellow brother or sister. It helps to renew that hope that with great friends and people like them still alive in this world - we CAN and WILL change it for the better. This world we live in, we live in together, it's EVERYBODY'S home, for now. Why not just treat everyone you meet with the same respect you'd like in return?

With our lives taking on such busy schedules, we forget to thank those important people for stepping in and just being themselves - their AMAZING selves! The friendship you give someone is a true gift and can mean the world to them and you would never know how much good you've done. So here's a huge shout-out to EVERYONE who's entered my life...whether it was a brief encounter, or an extended journey - Thank you! I truly appreciate all the advice, the support, the reality checks, the pep-talks, the shoulders to lean on, the jokes that make my stomach and cheeks hurt, the ideas, the experiences, the prayers... NEVER STOP! You've made me stronger and wiser. Thank you.

A special thank you to some incredible, awe-inspiring, extraordinary, fabulous, far-out, adventurous, and spectacular people that have recently entered my life and consequently lifted me up to enjoy life with them. I like to call them my "HOMIES" - you know who you are. This group of people who've given me so much more that I would have dreamed for friendship to be, truly beleive in unconditional love. The generosity, the care, the smiles, the laughs, the inclusiveness, the honesty, the uniqueness of every individual, their talents, their strengths, their weaknesses, their wise words, their not-so wise words... ALL of that, packed together in a group of people who I hope I can inspire and help, as much as they have touched me.
Thank you.