The world

We're all here in a big playground where we can be with each other or choose not to. We can pick up our toys and move to a different area with other playmates if we choose to, or we stay in the same place if things are going good. Some kids are at the top of the jungle gym and they help their friends get up. Some are left standing on the mulch wondering who to play with next. Some go and play by themselves in the corner because there's one else to play with. Others go and tattle on each other - they'll tell mommy, daddy, teacher, or friends in hopes that they'll get comfort and maybe some form of revenge.


The best of us choose to play by ourselves AND with others. We don't tattle on each other, we just laugh it off and move on. We follow the rules we know are good for us - breaking the stupid ones; fully conscious of the risk. We don't use our strength, our words, or our toys to hurt other people when we can avoid it. We can be loud when we want to and we know when to stay quiet. We stand up for our friends and help them to share our successes, avoiding our mistakes. We're not jealous of those who have more than us. We do this because we love ourselves and our playmates.

I'm trying to become that kind of person. I was one of the worst of us, hell, sometimes I still am. I know the key ingredient, though, that it takes to make the 'best' kind - that's the ability to laugh off whatever comes our way.

Thank you all, for everything.

I love you.