Although I have been writing, it has been a while since I posted a blog. It has been on my heart the last couple of days and I thought I would actually sit down and write something to share with anyone willing to read my thoughts. I have been thinking about the importance of surrounding yourself with a variety of people. I am not talking about just having a lot of people around you that you don’t really talk to, but have a core group of people with varying views and walks of life.

I think so many of us surround ourselves with people that think and act in a similar manner that we are unable to understand those that do not think nor act like us. We are becoming more closed minded because we are refusing to open ourselves up to the differences we have. We are all not going to have the same religious beliefs, if we have them at all. We are all not going to be rich or have the same goals in life. Some people are content with where they are and like their 9-5 job and that is ok. Some people are going to want to have their own businesses or may like network marketing and that is ok. What is not ok, is making people feel like they are less than, or not worthy of your time because they view life a little…or a lot differently than you do. Judging them does not make you a better person.

Start getting together with people that are totally different from who you are and truly be open to hearing their views. You don’t have to agree with them, but you should listen to them and try to understand their point of view. I have found this issue more in the religious community than anywhere else. The different religions tend to surround themselves with people that believe the same things they believe and a lot of times, if you don’t believe what they feel is right, they will either try to convince you that your own beliefs are wrong or they won’t talk to you at all. If we actually sat down and talked about our beliefs instead of arguing over them, we could possibly realize that we are more the same than we are different. Majority of us just want to live a loving, happy, and fulfilling life in the best way we can, and if that means praying to God, Allah, Jehovah, The Source, The Universe, no one at all, whatever it is you believe, then that is what we should do. It doesn’t make one person bad or wrong, it just means they are different than you and they are doing what works for them. If it doesn’t work, then maybe some of what you shared will stick with them and they may try your way. You cannot force religious beliefs on anyone. The only thing you can do is speak YOUR truth and YOUR experiences to those willing to listen.

One thing the military did for me was give me the opportunity to be immersed with other cultures. I was able to meet people from just about every background and although we had our differences, we all had one common goal, to serve our country and take full advantage of every benefit we were given. I met some truly amazing people that not only were my friends, but some became family. Some of my friends are Buddhists, Atheists, Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Agnostics, and everything in between, and I love everything about each and every one of them. They are all unique and despite our differing beliefs, I love them with all of my heart. Listening to and understanding who they are to the core is what keeps me balanced.