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Monday, Jan. 7, 2002
Dear Kate,
Everything in life is relative. For starters, does anybody ever really have their act together, or does it just seem that way when the turkeys have got you down? I know my act is far from together, I just don't write about it much here because, well, there are some things you don't need to know.
I was listening to the radio yesterday when the DJ dedicated a song to a friend of his. I might not have noticed anything unusual if the DJ hadn't called attention to the fact that the dedication had to remain anonymous because it could otherwise ruin his buddy's career. The song played: "Don't Stand So Close To Me," by the Police.
If you aren't familiar with the song, it's about a male teacher wanting ever so dangerously to have an intimate relationship with a female student.
As the music played, I found myself filled with compassion for this real life man struggling with his feelings for one of his students. His yearning. His knowing that something so wrong feels so right--to him. His inability to focus on anything else, because love and lust just does that. Meanwhile, there are people out there, unknowing of the situation, and they hold this guy in such high regard. He has great job, is a good teacher and even has a nice car. All of this crossed my mind as the song played.
And what if these same people who hold this teacher in such high regard actually knew what he was going through? His career would definitely be over--and that's to say the very least.
It seems everyone is going through something--at varying magnitudes--at every point in his or her life. Even the people who think they have their act together probably don't. It's just an illusion. No one ever has passed enough of life's tests that it gives them some sort of authority over your own life.
What you are left with when you strip away the judgments of others is everything only as it is relative to you. And this is the part where attitude is everything. In the end, its the goals and ideals you set for you--those are the only things you need to strive for. And, please, be gentle with yourself.
If you really could do/handle/be anything "better," "faster" or "more," don't you think you would? Have some compassion for yourself, because you are the only one you can depend on 100% of the time for such kindness and nurturing. Know that whatever you are "growing through" will work itself out in its own time. It always does.
Life never promises to get easier, but you will become all the stronger for it.
Quote Of The Day:
"The most influential person who will talk to you all day is you, so you should be very careful about what you say to you!"
-- Zig Ziglar
Worth Noting:
• Joe turns 36.
• Dusty starts obedience training.
In The Background:
"Superman"
--Five For Fighting