Come on, people now. . .

Smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now.

How hard is that, really? Well, it certainly isn't EASY or there wouldn't be so many people struggling with it, or songs sung about it,or books written about it. It's not easy. That's why you have to try.

Yeah, I know, some of you are shaking your heads at me, calling me a commie pinko leftist hippie or something similar, but I am none of those. (Okay, maybe a little bit hippie.)  I'm just a human being, like you. And lately, I've been giving this concept of loving everybody a lot of thought. We have a limited time on this earth, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste time being angry or hating anyone.

I'm not talking about being BFFs with everybody. I'm not talking about insisting the sun is out when it's obvious it's raining. I'm talking about not bearing grudges or resentment over things that don't matter. Because really, guess who feels it most when you hold a grudge? YOU. And those things that do matter? Don't hold grudges. Talk about it instead, then let it go, or else be dragged. Maybe you'll come to a solution, maybe you won't, but at least you will have tried, and that's all you can do.

And then there's forgiveness, a concept too many people don't seem to fully understand. Heck, I'm not sure I understand it altogether myself, if you want to know the truth. But here's what I think: forgiveness has to do with letting go of your own destructive feelings. It doesn't mean you have to let the person who hurt you back into your good graces if you don't want to. I mean, let's face it - there are good and valid reasons why some relationships shouldn't be repaired, but there's no reason for you to harbor bitterness over it for the rest of your life. Because I'll guarantee you, the other person doesn't care.

I have a large circle of friends who all have varied opinions on different issues. They're not my friends because we agree on everything - trust me, we don't. Even a few of my oldest, closest friends have opinions spectacularly opposite of mine. They're my friends because we bonded over something that was way more important than who we voted for in the last election. If I based friendships on political opinions  . . . well, that would just be a complete fiasco, wouldn't it?

I know sometimes it's hard to love humanity, but I think there are more reasons to love it than not. You'll find them if you give it a good honest look.

Till next time --- quit your meanness and go to lovin' folks.

Pearls and Black Dogs.

Well, hi-ho and happy new year. I hope 2013 has gotten off to a good start for alla y'all. As for me, I was doing just fine, thank you, till this week of gloomy weather got me all out of sorts. Now the Black Dog is  trailing me, nipping at my heels, just waiting to jump, as frequently happens during this cold, dark time of year.

Originally I had written a gloomy post about depression, which was cathartic for me, but when I read it, I decided I couldn't take you all down with me. Just because I'm swimming in the mud right now doesn't mean you need to be in it too. But while I was feeling all sorry for myself, I checked some of my links on ReverbNation to make sure everything was where it was supposed to be, and in doing so, got smacked upside the head with my very own words. Usually I hate it when that happens, but this time I chuckled.

I wrote this song many years ago after being inspired by one of those insipid daily horoscope things. (Hey, when the Muse speaks, I don't question.) It said, "Oysters couldn't make pearls without irritating grains of sand." Well, of course. Irritation or dissatisfaction is the thing that spurs us to action, so all those irritations and inconveniences - or as my friend Shawn describes them, "steaming piles of teachable moments" - could be a gift in wolf's clothing. I try to remember that nothing is permanent, that this is only temporary, and maybe this grain of sand might just turn into a pearl.

Pearls

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

It’s been that way since time began

No joy without sorrow

No night without tomorrow

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

Sometimes this world is full of every doubt

You can’t believe everything will all work out

The answer lies within your hands

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

When it seems like tears will never cease

And the burden on your shoulders just won’t ease

Remember when you can’t keep up with life’s demands

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

It’s been that way since time began

No joy without sorrow

No night without tomorrow

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

So round, so perfect and so small

Revered and loved by one and all

The tiny gem in the palm of your hand

Used to be just another grain of sand

Many struggles and trials we shall face

And the heartaches that time just won’t erase

It’s all part of a greater master plan

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

It’s been that way since time began

No joy without sorrow

No night without tomorrow

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

There’s no pearl without a grain of sand

(You can listen here: just click on Pearls.)

Till next time --- consider the pearl.