My friend had asked me a few deep questions in 08' . . . and I tried my best to answer them, at the time. Sometimes you need a reminder of why you do the things you do. I know I needed it today, so here it is:
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We are all students, trying to learn the same lesson --- how to live authentically, be the best we can be, live from the heart. The problem with living authentically for some is, once you know the truth, you cannot go back to ignorance. You can try, but you are only fooling yourself & wasting too much damn energy being emotionally stupid, taking others along for a ride they don't deserve. The easier way, actually, would just be "being responsible" for your actions . . . but it "looks" hard because it means trusting yourself ---- something a lot of us haven't done yet, (& for some, never have) & are too damned scared to do. You & I learned this lesson very early in life & have worked at doing so for so long, that it is automatic to be concerned for our fellow man or woman; to worry about if what we do will affect anyone else; to see inside people & see the good they sometimes hide & want to share. It's why we were drawn to each other --- we saw each other for who we really were & wanted to share that willingly. We were able to get past the baggage from other friends, together. We didn't toe-dip with each other. We understood that letting people in has its rewards. Twenty years later, miles away, we are still reaping the rewards of that chance we took.
Being real means being vulnerable . . . and unfortunately as a people we have grown too used to protecting ourselves so much that allowing ourselves to be vulnerable is a painful option. It shouldn't be, but it has become so for so many. We know from our own personal experiences that the walls of protection can become a prison if we let it. We know that feeling nothing leaves us feeling empty. We know it's possible to find real decent people out there, though; if we didn't, we wouldn't have taken this chance to meet the variety of wonderful people we have already met here, this week. We have faith in people, and sometimes that's enough.
We are also all teachers . . . and every one has his or her place --- even if it is to teach us what NOT to do. When you are ready to take on the responsibility of Teacher, however, something beautiful happens. You grow. You realize that the best way to teach is to never stop learning, never stop questioning, never give up being WHO YOU ARE. The best teacher teaches by example, by living a life worthy of watching. I love you best for that. You are my best friend, and you honor me with your Light.
Some people you just can't teach until they are ready to learn. Wanting to learn is effortless; you are hungry for more. Struggling to learn means they are not ready for what you have to say, how you have to say it. Sometimes they have to hit rock bottom before they get it. Sometimes everyone has to leave them so they come face to face with themselves. Some people need a harder brick --- you know what I mean, sweetie. It's not fair to you to stand there & watch the train wreck. It limits you & dims your light. The only wrong you do is try to save someone who doesn't want to be saved, doesn't think they need help. You worrying about them is not going to change the fact that they are gonna stay where they are until they get tired of being there. You offer the lifeline, but you cannot force them to take it. The rest is up to them. If they cannot figure out how to reach you, even with the clearest of road maps, then they are not mature enough to be with you.
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~K~
