Secondly? I am also “one-of-those” who (gasping again!!) is NOT firmly locked into any particular religious convictions. I HAVE at various times in my life, participated in trying to practice and apply various religious teachings and practices and make them “me”.. but.. they simply “didn’t FEEL right” for my own heart and soul. I was simply not comfortable with that “if-you-are-not-with-us-you-are-not-worthy-and-are-against-us” mindset. I am happy to embrace all people, no matter their culture, religious conviction, their status in life (self- imposed, or obvious).. even those who are hateful and cruel. For, you see, all persons have something to teach us. We may not particularly LIKE, enjoy, or understand what exactly “one-is-learning-at-the-moment-in-time”; but upon reflection, perhaps one will get “zapped” with a crystal- clear bolt of an epiphany.

Perhaps we can agree that each individual person is unique- in their preferred method of learning, of processing information- in the way they interact with this amazing universe. We can also learn to “agree to disagree”, and one does not necessarily always HAVE to be “right”.

I view individuals as diamonds. Each cut diamond has many facets, and can be cut differently, depending upon the particular way that the artist (diamond- cutter) is wanting the light to shine through. The rainbows one can view are visual reminders that light is beautiful energy.. and even if one cannot visually “see” this energy- perhaps it is dark in their world (visually or emotionally); they STILL can “feel” the beauty with other senses.

Yep. I have encountered some individuals who I viewed as “lumps of coal”! *LOL* BUT, the really neat thing?? They have (or.. had) the POTENTIAL to be diamonds. It was (and IS) each person’s choice to decide what they are wanting to BE. Should I “feel guilty” for presuming that some people are “lumps-of-coal… and diamonds-in-training”? I dunno.. I simply refuse to waste my time contemplating this. Living my own “life’s purpose” keeps me quite busy, mostly happy- and VERY inquisitive and curious about this universe around me. I truly do love to learn, to think, to feel. Sometimes I am quite bold- and I choose to participate, and share “that-which-is-me”. Not because I am wanting or needing to be noticed, but simply because I CARE. I truly, truly care about wanting to help humanity in any means that I am able.

BEing present, “feeling” compassion, hope, and encouragement that our universe IS an amazing and wondrous mystery- and that each individual human being plays a role in it. Huh. *LOL* I just had a funny thought pop into my head. Perhaps I should be writing a book! But.. it’s not about “me”. It’s about WE. It is about these things that the Cyres Caring Cafe serves up each day, as I wander around.. finding “food for thought” and the joy of “connecting”. With every cell in my body.. I “actively connect” with this universe. Sometimes it is FUN, sometimes.. not so much. That’s perfectly fine, though, because I am knowing that I can receive a “hand up” by simply asking. Recognizing that I am “a part of something MUCH grander than myself” is quite refreshing.