Jaded

There is a road here in Colorado that we drive down a lot and every time we drive down this road I swear that I see the same car driving with us down the road. The car has a Coexists bumper sticker on it.
Politics is always a heated topic, especially when democrats and republicans are talking politics together. So lately I have been telling Brian that I do not belong in either party, instead I would like to just be a part of the Coexist movement.

Now, I have not done my research on what exactly this Coexist Lifestyle movement is, but I do know what the word Coexist means, "To live in peace with another or others despite differences, especially as a matter of policy". I really liked that, we should all be a little more tolerant of one another.

Then today at church we had a lesson on our self worth and how we judge ourselves and others. And I got to thinking about my thoughts on Coexist. Why is it so easy for me to defend gay and lesbian rights or only be upset for a minute when someone in line in front of me is rude, I can be so tolerant of others, but when it comes to my own family and friends, I am not. And shouldn't I be the most forgiving and tolerant of them, they are the ones who I interact with more often and who are really important. Why do I hold on to things and read into things that have been said or done that may or may not have had another meaning. Really, its time for me to not be so judgmental. And if I don't judge others, then I can't compare myself to others which is never a very good feeling either.

In high school, I once said, I don't like "insert name here" and a friend of mine said, "If you don't like them, then I don't like them either - they must really be bad, because you like everyone". I want to get back to that way of living. I want to like everyone and see the good in people again.

So I have decided that I want to do more than coexist, I want to get to know my family better, love and be happy for them when they succeed. I want to like people first and I want them to like me too. I guess I'm not going to join the Coexist Lifestyle movement, it's too passive. I want to do more than just exist with others, I want to interact with others, but respectfully.

~Nicole