Retrospective Lily

Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a good quote!

Here’s one I read this week:

“Our unhealthy learned behaviors, defense mechanisms, etc. don’t reflect who we are, but rather what we’ve experienced. Ironically, those things actually hinder us from being who we really are.”

I started thinking about how easily we judge each other, when really, we are primarily products of our circumstances. In other words, we’re all just playing the hand we were dealt.

Compare someone born into wealth vs. someone born in poverty. The nepo baby will probably go to college and get a good job. They’ll live in a safe neighborhood and possibly start a business or make some profitable investments. Someone without the same resources and opportunities might go to college (by working through it or getting scholarships/financial aid). They might get a good job (depends on skills and connections) and might live in a safe neighborhood (if they can afford it). They might start a business or get into the stock market (though both are easier to do if you already have money to work with and/or a safety net in case you fail). A lot of people spend their whole lives trying to claw their way out of poverty, yet some will never “want” for anything. [But money can’t buy happiness. That’s a whole nother topic.]

Of course, there is the good ol’ American Dream – the belief that people can move up and better themselves if they work hard and make smart choices. That dream is harder to achieve now because everything is so expensive, but it’s still possible. Also, we have free will! I’m sure there are people who showered their children with support, only for them to throw it all away. [There is an important distinction between financial vs. emotional support.] Some brave children from impoverished places find a way out instead of accepting what feels like their predestined fate. [Probably higher success rate if they have emotional support!]

We might see a rich philanthropist and call them a good person. We might see a drug dealer and call them a bad person. But, crazy thought, what if they had been switched at birth?

Would the guy selling cocaine in Chicago be selling his paintings at an NYC art gallery in another life?

Are poor criminals evil human beings, or are they surviving the only way they know how in a dog-eat-dog world? [If you’re WEALTHY and a criminal, maybe you ARE a bad person, because what’s your excuse? Jk lol.]

Every person is created with the image of God. We should remember that and show empathy and love to each other.

Before we judge someone, let’s remember that we don’t know the hand they were dealt! [And even if they got a couple aces, we don’t always see the bad cards.] They are probably doing the best they can with the resources and information they have.

This Christmas, I’m remembering those experiencing homelessness. The weather has perked up this week to a high of mid-50’s (Fahrenheit). But I worry more when the temperature drops, especially below freezing. Thank God there are some “warming” spots around town.

Merry Christmas to you!