..the beauty in those smoky sunsets

...Whether you realize it or not,
You are a survivor.
Sounds a tad melodramatic, doesn't it.


It is true. 
If you are drawing breath as you are reading this,
You are surviving.

We all are.

For each of us,
It is something different.

The world can be such a wonderful place,
Filled with bright light,
Glittering, hopeful eyes that look toward a rapidly approaching dawn.

Sometimes it's not so pretty.

That's alright.
You are surviving.
You're not the only one.

With each of us,
It is something as unique
As we all are.
Something inside.
Something that hardens our hearts,
Maybe makes us more sensitive,
Maybe makes us artists.
Maybe it makes us want to give up.
Sometimes it makes us want to try harder.
Maybe we are just very tired,

Or want to help others and don't know how.
Perhaps we just want things to be a little easier for a while,
Just long enough for us to catch our breath.

You could have lost someone close to you.
Maybe you are very sick, and don't know to get through each day.
Have no idea who to talk to you...
Or who would even listen.

Maybe you're having trouble paying those bills.
There are always more than enough of those, but 
Never enough money.

You could be worried about the world your children are growing up in,
Or the space in your world that your parents will eventually leave.

It's all important.

It's even more important to remember
You're surviving. You're a survivor.
We all are.

We don't have to survive alone,
In a vacuum.

We might not always like each other.
Not asking you to.

But
We can help each other.
Doesn't even take much.

It starts small.

An idea.
Good intentions.

Armed with these I believe we can take this place and make the not so beautiful things
A little prettier.
A little softer.
A life that's a little less about surviving

And a lot more about glitter, light, hope.

"What does this have to do with anything?"
Good question.

The answer is:
"You have a story worth telling." 
Let's hear it.
"You are worth being helped."
Let's find a way for all of us to help you.
"You are worthy of helping others."
Let's find a way to enjoy ourselves and help those strangers that should be known as our neighbors, our community.
 
Let's get started.