I thought of the culmination of my own life up until this point. How simple happenings have lead me to where and who I am right now. The trials that I had faced when I was a little boy -and new ones I face now-, the lessons I learned from those. The people that had influenced my life, whether good or bad. The Bishop who took me under his wing. The neighbor who display incredible patience. Friends who stand by my side in lifes decisions. Family that stood, and continues to stand, as my foundation and never faltered, no matter how deeply my selfishness cut them.
I then thought of how I am at this exact moment, and what I am doing. My self criticism was not forgiving in any field of judgment. My current life predicaments have come to define me. My reoccurring battle with school and the roller-coaster of emotions it provides. What I am going to do about a career. As well as the ever hovering eternal companionship issue. No one likes to admit it, but dating is hard and a bit of a chore. So far, timing has been swatting at the amazing women of my life left and right. The occasional feeling of loneliness. Then the sudden realization that I have Friends pulling for me, thinking of me whenever I'm not around. Family that will give themselves up to help me, to make sure I am happy. And that my life, despite it's many flaws, is beautiful. Blessings are Beautiful.
The word "Sonder", is a bit of an odd and new word. It means to realize, as you are metaphorically walking the streets of New York, that every single person you pass is only a passerby in your life, as you are in theirs. That each person has their own issues, the own foibles, pet peeves, temptations, emotional hardships, physical traumas. Their own decisions to make in life. Even though these people are in almost every way different from you personally, you share the fact that you have a Life! The little things are what makes up your life. Think of a sunset. You will never see the same sunset twice, they are always different, always random. But that is what makes them beautiful. The little imperfections make them whole. It's what makes them unique. The pinnacle of little events and influences in life make you what you are. Love, pain, distress, joy. We all feel it, but in a different manner.
To bring it all in. Try to wrap your mind around the fact that no two people live the same lives. The infinite number of combinations to make up ones life can NEVER be duplicated. Think of how many people lived, live, and will live on this Earth. The ups and downs of their lives are unfathomable. Yet, through the Atonement, Christ knew and knows each and every single up, down, and hard left turn of our lives. Yours. Mine. The Atonement is Eternal, reaching beyond you and I in both directions of time. I love this Gospel!
No comments:
Post a Comment