Have compassion for those around you

My mother told me many times throughout my life I was far too open about who I was. She would say, “you should leave some things to mystery.”

I was always pretty bad at that. I guess I think there is enough mystery in life. I am who I am and I have never felt the need to hide that. I want to be accepted for who and what I truly am. The world will pass judgment either way.

So I ask — what do you think when you see someone standing on the street holding a sign, a woman dressed revealingly, a young couple arguing in a public place? Do people who have committed crimes deserve a second chance at life if they have taken the necessary steps to make changes? Does a young mother who just exited rehab deserve to have help from the community around her? Do we lift these people up or do we tear them down?

I am not of the trophy generation as I have heard some say; I am realistic about life and the expectations and responsibilities it takes to be a productive member of society.

With that said, we should all know pretty early on — life happens and it is largely out of our control.

That man holding the sign watched his child die, he coped by drinking and because of this he lost his family and job. He is sad, alone and his will has left him. That scantily clad woman was told she was beautiful but ignorant by someone who said they loved her for so many years. She feels her only worth is in her appearance and she uses that because she now lacks the ability to realize her intelligence. The young couple arguing in public are trying to decide if they can afford to buy a heater and food because they have recently taken on the task of caring for an ill parent and they are struggling financially and emotionally.

My point is, life is hard. We all make mistakes, we all struggle and we all deserve a second chance (I am not speaking of crimes against children, you get no second chances in my book).

We as human beings are imperfect. We are learning and growing from the moment we take our first breath, if not before, so we are designed to make mistakes.

Another factor often taken for granted is how we learn our life lessons. Some of us had a parent to warn them, “don’t touch that, it’s hot, it will burn you,” while others had to find out by sticking a finger to it first. Please realize not everyone is blessed with the same guidance in life.

The human condition is that we all struggle. Life is not simple or easy for anyone. The fact remains the destination is the same for all of us. Life ends, we are here but a short time. Make that short time matter, not just to you but to those around you.

You don’t have to hand out money or open up your home to make the world a better place, you just have to accept that most of us are doing the best we can with what we were given.

We all have the ability to rise above, but that doesn’t mean we are beyond falling. Have compassion for those around you and if you see someone struggling, even if you can’t give them a hand up, a simple smile or a this too shall pass is all you have to shell out to make the world a little softer place for everyone.

Misty DeJournett is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at mdejournett.dar@gmail.com.