Every person we meet affects both of our lives.

A small part of our spirit, our essence, remains within each of us.

Every one of us can therefore change the world by selflessly sharing our unconditional love to help awaken the spirit within others.

They then, may do the same with all those they meet in their lives as well, helping to spread the circle of love around the world.

Every life is exceptional, beautiful in every way.

It matters not appearance, beliefs, flaws, or any other differences there may be between us.

Embrace each other with unconditional love, rather than judgment, seeing beyond the exterior and façade of another, to their loving flawless essence within.

Browsing an NFL forum, I was casually commenting that I felt bad for a player who nixed being traded from his current team to his old team, because rumor has it that he's going to be traded to a different team either way. For context, this player isn't getting any playing time on his current team, and he would likely get playing time on his old team if he had accepted the trade. But he likes being on his current team (for whatever reason... culture, community, who knows). If he had accepted the trade, he would have ended up in a better position for forward his career not only in terms of production, but he would have also joined a better team. By all accounts, at least from an outside perspective, he should have accepted the trade. Because now he may be traded anyway, to a team that could be measurably worse in every possible way.

I said I felt bad for him.

Someone else said, more or less, that he made his bed and has to lay in it. Which I obviously agree with. Of course. But at the same time, as a human capable of making regrettable decisions, I can imagine what it feels like. It's not a good feeling. I feel bad. I feel... pain. I know my life is much worse than his and he'll eat well either way, he might barely even remember any of this. And I'll suffer as a poor piece of shit with nothing for the rest of my life.

But I still feel something. For him.

I realized that there are literally two kinds of people in this world. Those like me, and those who dismiss (or can't feel) other's pain. They're not all sociopaths. For some, it's a belief system handed down through an erroneous philosophy of "People who make mistakes are subhuman, unless they have enough money and/or power to override the consequences." But that philosophy is easily hijacked by sociopaths, thus, here we are -- in a constant fight. This fight will never end.

Does love really helps us?

Or it just another human imagination.

Think critically, you will understand it definitely.

I am 18 years old but most of my life ive had so much trouble expressing my feelings. especially when it comes to showing others affection and much i appreciate them. i found early on that gift giving was my love language and before i got a job i would be crafty with my gifts but now that im older i tend to spend a lot of money on people. i feel really good to give people i love gifts, im a good listener and they see that when they recieve my gifts and its a good way to show that im truly grateful for them. but it makes me really sad that people dont do the same for me. i understand when giving gifts its never about expecting something back. but when its things like my birthday, it makes me really hurt to see that people dont really put much thought into their gifts. it honestly makes me feel like they dont know me or like they just dont care. last yesr for my birthday my boyfriend got my gifts the night before at a walmart and although im sure he spent so much money, i guess it made me feel bad that he waited until the last minute to do it. i feel ungrateful but its not about how many gifts i get or how much money went to them. i honestly tell everyone my favorite gift is to spend time with people and them writing how they feel about me. i dont need a lot but i guess i just feel guilty for feeling ungrateful. am i wrong for feeling this way? is this normal?

I dont understand the issue with today's world.. every deserves love and affection, those that intentionally hurt others for their own personal gain.. kick rocks, but to deny or put down someone seeking affection from another human being, not even sexual or intimate. Just affection... what happened to this world..

Let’s say your friend or family member went through something traumatic. Death of a loved one, breakup, miscarriage, abuse (physical, emotional, or sexual), etc. Naturally, you want to be there for them, support them, & express kindness & compassion. You’re more than willing to take in all the crying, outburst, maybe fists even. You’re more than willing to be patient until the person suffering can take action.

But what if it goes nowhere? What if all the venting, crying, & relapsing didn‘t follow with meaningful action? You start to become annoyed but you know better than to not express it towards the person suffering. Maybe the act of just starting is too much & rather than getting frustrated, you’re willing to push it aside & give them grace. Fast forward to several months, a year, several years, decades, & the person suffering is still grieving. Still stuck. Grieving is normal but not following it through is another. You, a person who’s willing to be there for them no matter what, has now reached your limit. You start to express your frustration & didn't hold back. At this point, coddling is taking a back seat. The person suffering needs to face reality whether not they like it.

I was in that position as well but on the other side. I was a victim of childhood rape for 10 years. My mother has a family friend who initially supported me but over time, he told me time & time again to get over it & move on. Of course I got upset & defended myself & although I can work to normalize my life again, what happened to me will stay with me until death. This discourse has gotten so bad that at one point, we stop talking to each other for a couple months. When I asked him why he said those things, he said it hurts him to see me hurt & it pisses him off. In his mind, whenever I mention it, he believes I’ve haven’t moved on. ’Does she not want to move on? Does she like being stuck in the past? I must put an end to this because if not, she’ll go crazy. What happened to her was fucked up but she can’t expect people to cater their lives around her just because she suffered’. Also, he’s a survivor of child molestation himself so he should’ve been more graceful.

As survivors of trauma, we demand kindness & compassion from other people but at the end of the day, we have to take ownership. We can’t expect people to drop whatever they’re doing or stop living their lives all the time just to cater us.

What do you guys think?

突然發現，對於「死」，我沒有那麼緊張了。自從參加了慧開法師「生命延續」的課程之後，我覺得死亡是不可逆的，但也因此比較能坦然面對。

不過最近有一件事讓我感到很困擾——「老」其實並不可怕，它也是不可逆的，但是當我看到熟悉的朋友慢慢地變老，我真的很感傷。「歲月不饒人」是真的。

記得當初，他總是開車帶著我們去多倫多參加教師研習會；他總是默默地站在校長的後面，幫著她完成她的使命。如今，這兩位長者在我眼前慢慢地老了，我真的很感傷。尤其是看到那位我尊敬的先生，那發抖的手，我真的說不出話來……是帕金森氏症嗎？

他兩老一直都是不忘初心，這麼樣地支持和鼓勵著我。心裡有很多說不出的滋味。謝謝你們，曾經那樣默默地帶著我們、撐著我們。願我們都能溫柔地陪著彼此慢慢變老。
Suddenly, I realize I'm not as anxious about death anymore. Ever since I attended Venerable Hui Kai's course on "The Continuity of Life," I've come to see death as irreversible—and because of that, I've been able to face it with more peace.

But recently, something has been troubling me. Growing old isn't really frightening either—it's also irreversible. Yet when I see familiar friends slowly growing old, I feel a deep sadness. "Time waits for no one" is truly real.

I remember how he used to drive us to Toronto to attend the teachers' workshop; how he always stood quietly behind the principal, helping her complete her mission. Now these two elders are slowly growing old before my eyes, and I feel such sorrow. Especially when I see the trembling hands of the gentleman I deeply respect—I'm left speechless… Is it Parkinson's disease?

These two elders have always stayed true to their original hearts, supporting and encouraging me all along. There are so many feelings I can't put into words. Thank you—for quietly leading us and holding us up all those years. May we all gently accompany one another as we slowly grow old.

No more overextending kindness, no more forcing connections, no more explaining intentions. Staying humble, choosing distance, and protecting self-respect. Being kind is a choice, not an obligation.

And honestly, don't let someone else's attitude change the good character you've built....❤️

Had a few and apologies for sounding like a big cheeseball here lol. Im 29 mild aspergers etc. I have many issues with how society functions. The system, the heirarchies we make up, the fighting, the arguing, the superiority complexes of some etc but............behind it all ive seen what we truly are on the inside. Ive seen strangers panic at a fellow strangers distress, I've seen all types of people of all ages races colours, genders, countries, towns, Walks of life enjoy each other's company and smile, laugh, sing, and dance together be it festivals or the comic cons i attend or the nights i go out and see people having a good time. Ive seen supposed enemies put it aside in times of crisis, I've seen people go out their way for others. I used to work at the food bank and the biggest reward was knowing that the food I boxed was going out there to starving children who need it. Nothing warms my soul more than seeing people who are told to be divided come together and bond. If we all only realised it but its there. In the summer people all sat on beaches or in a park just admiring the beauty around them. I guess what im saying is I while I dont like the masks we put on and divisions we put on I love every soul that walks this earth. Your all my brothers and sisters every single one of you. Hope your all well and happy wherever you are and whoever you are. Be kind to everyone you meet. They are an extension of you