Inspiration or something like it

I was watching my friends talk, eat, and laugh and two thoughts hit me: They are all beautiful, and I love them. Each one of them is beautiful in their own special way; their flaws, their insecurities, the nervous laughter, their craziness, the stuff that makes each one so imperfectly, so intensely human. How beautiful this delicate humanity can be! Is it strange that I was drawn to their tired eyes and fragile efforts at conversation and deliciously vulnerable attempts to make the most of a meal after a hard day at work? The fragility of all that humanness just left me humbled and staggeringly in love with them – for trying, for being “there”, despite how tied up in the grind of life they all must be.

And I just thought I was going to have dinner! Lol. Well not this time. And I think I know why. The truth is I was inspired by the strength of a certain friend. This person who I never knew was so much wiser than his years, whose strength stems from kindness rather than pride, and who decides every minute to tackle this world with humanity and peace rather than false confidence and the bravado of ordinary men. Because of course, he is not ordinary. It seems no matter how hard a hand the world deals him, he chooses to give it a second chance, and then it gets harder still, and still he would take it in stride. You’d think a person who doesn’t push back life’s shit is weak right? But not this one; he takes the struggle in and embraces it until it is no more, and that is out of his unlimited resources for compassion and tenderness. Which doesn’t even scare him one bit. And that makes this person the strongest I have ever seen. People say I’m strong but I honestly don’t measure up to this mountain of good solid kind strength. I am honored and privileged to be his friend and owe him this beautiful openness to life that enabled me to find my peace with the world and re-fall in love with it. Thanks just doesn’t do it!

So it’s no wonder I guess that today I was drawn to my friends’ subtle weaknesses. One month ago I would have rolled my eyes and said inwardly “what’s the point?” But not today; today I am inspired to seek out humanity with a bigger better heart, making a conscious decision to be stronger without pride, and kinder without fear.  

What better way to start the month of love. It really is the month of love – think of it this way, if you’re not giving up basic human needs like food and water out of love, then really what are you doing it for?! I’m choosing to see it in this light. In His love and His care, I wish my fellow humans: have a great Ramadan J