Although having a disability has allowed me to see a different side to life, we don't need to have a disability to understand a different side. We need to want to care.
Life is too short to wish we'd done things differently, but we’re often too wrapped up in our own thoughts and issues to think about, or even care about others.
What matters is the difference we make here. It’s changing a person’s emotional thoughts on what we do for them that shows we care.
The hardest part for me over the years has been really wanting to care when it seemed like no one ever cared about me. I have tried so very hard to be a nice guy, but it never felt like people wanted to return the favour, more like the opposite.
With certain people, all they seem to do is to keep taking more and more even when you have nothing left to give. They like to say that 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions,' which does seem to be the case, more often than not.
Life definitely isn't fair at times, but I do try to believe that life can be good at times. I figure if I can save at least one person from going through the hell that I did, my life will have been worth something.
Absolutely Randy. If you can change and save one person from going through your experiences, you will have done a 'good deed.'
I believe this is where your strengths lie. No doubt in my mind. You have found your calling. Now it's time to put it into practice.
You have so much to give, you are a nice guy. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
My reality should be yours, since we're sharing the same space, same planet together. But certain factors are making us more self-centred than ever; we see it everywhere.
But my life actually begins on the other side, so I'd better make as many moral deposits as I can. That helps me justify my existence and assures smooth entry into the pearly gates, as you say.
Since we're all occupying the same space all our realities should be the same. If they're not the same we should be working towards the same end, but we aren't.
I absolutely agree that certain factors are making us more self-centred than ever. We only have to turn on the t.v. to see that and you're right. Although life starts here, how we will eventually fair on the other side, will be determined by our deposits this side of life.
If more of us understood that we'd be different people, working for the same cause and with each other. Unfortunately, culture and religion are making us even more divided. We're not even working off the same page.
I was just thinking about the power of empathy and compassion Ilana, which I think most of us are born with, like our awareness of other people's feelings.
Of course, when I open my heart to people, it actually benefits me.
I think you're right, but life tends to get in the way of all of those things and throw a spanner in the works. But all is not lost, I still believe that through every cloud, there is the opportunity for sunshine. In other words, we can be empathetic and show compassion.
We get to choose. We feel so much better when we open our hearts. The hard part for most of us, is allowing that to happen because we're afraid of getting hurt.
But getting hurt brings with it opportunities for emotional growth and that's what we all need, because emotional growth gives us empathy, understanding and compassion; as you say.