Being human.

I've spent a lot of time recently, reflecting on this. On my life. On the things that have happened to me. The things others have done to wrong me.

The things I have done to wrong others.

What I am starting to see with such great clarity is how flawed we all are.

That to be human means failing. Wanting. Loving. Losing.

That it means sadness and hurt. Joy and pain.

We are at our best when things are at their worst, some of the time.

Other times, when things are at their worst, we fail.

And it is up to us to learn. To strive. To be better versions of ourselves.

I have learned so much in just a few weeks.

I've seen myself for who I am.

I've also seen others for who they are. And some of them have surprised me.

Some are understanding and forgiving.

Others are so caught up with being better than others that they have no capacity to forgive, and hold themselves out as paragons of virtue and of superiority.

And in so doing, the latter deny their humanity.

They have somehow managed to avoid ever facing that they have done wrong. And they will forever be a victim of others. Never having done anything for which they will admit shame or wrongdoing.

And I know without doubt. That nobody has lived that pure a life since Jesus Christ.

Now, I don't believe in organized religion. I don't believe that one way is the only way. But I do believe that Jesus was blessed with the spirit of "God", and that he lived a virtuous life. As an example to all of us as to what is possible for us as human beings.

I also believe that not one other soul who has ever lived has done the same.

More than anything, what Jesus lived was a life of forgiveness towards others. That when people were able to face that they have not lived a pure life, that we should all be willing to accept and forgive that person. Not condone their actions.

Yes, I have done things I regret. Failed in more ways than one. But there comes a time when we have to stop getting on bended knee and allowing others to throw stones at us because we feel we deserve it.

Because those who cast that hatred our way are just obfuscating. They don't want to face their own failings. And when we admit ours, it scares them.

Yes, there are people in this world who have not done what I have.

The flaw in that realization is that they believe themselves to be superior. And that makes them feel good about themselves. They can condemn. They can hold themselves out as better than others. It comforts them to know they didn't do what we did.

And allows them to conveniently forget what they have done. Or to rationalize it as "less".

When we all finally realize that we have done wrong, and that we want to be better, then we can start to see what it means to find "God" in each other, and in the world around us.

Jesus said, "Let those who are without sin cast the first stone".

Nobody better pick up a rock. Because the moment you do, you have just forsaken yourself. And all those who love you.

For being human. As we all are.