New Addiction

Face Book. My new addiction. For as long I can remember, I have loved to know what is going on with whom and why. I enjoying recognizing people when I go out to the grocery store, dry cleaners, and just about anywhere. The only time I don't like seeing someone I know is when I'm buying tampons or going through McDonald's drive thru.

Because of this little quirk of mine, Face Book is wonderful. I am catching up with people from high school and college that I haven't seen or spoken with for almost 15 years in some cases. Some people are doing just what I expected and others are blowing me out of the water. This challenges my preconceived notions about people. I have always been a person to jump to conclusions about people that I know and others that I have just met. This is one thing that I am working very hard at making happen less frequently.

Case in point, a field trip to Seattle when Brian's parents were visiting led to Nora grabbing the hand of a homeless man and walking hand in hand with him for about half a block. Nana was holding Nora's other hand, but she didn't see any problem with taking his hand. He just looked like any other human being to her because she didn't jump to any conclusions like I did when she saw him. My heart jumped into my throat and all the horrible pictures of children being abducted on the evening news came to mind. Of course, Nana was holding her other hand, but Mama Bear came out quite quickly. Then I saw the smile of this man's face and knew how much she had touched him through this simple act. Nora, the kind hearted soul that she is, did not look at his clothing, shoes, or teeth and make a judgement about where he had been or his lack of a place to call home. After Nora let go of his hand, he looked at me, and with tears in his eyes, said, "That was very special for me, thank you." How could I have been so cold hearted to believe that he wanted to hurt my child just because of how he looked.

I obviously want to keep my children safe, but I am going to work on not judging people. I hope other people will make this effort as well.

I have heard a few stories lately from friends and family about people judging others because of their religious or political views. I have my beliefs, but enjoy hearing others that are different than mine. I truly think that if you are not able to talk about and have a discussion with others about your views without getting upset and being offended, it must mean you aren't as secure in your views as you thought. For example, just because someone believes that abortion is an option that all women should be entitled to, doesn't mean that the person sitting across the isle with the opposite opinion is a bad person. It is something to be discussed to hear out both people. I personally could not have an abortion, but would NEVER deny that right to any other woman. I have never been put in that situation, so who am I to say that I wouldn't have made that choice if I had, for example, found myself pregnant at 16. Talking something like this out with others may lead you to understand that you may have some things in common rather than needing to be at odds.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I'd like to hear your opinions on the judgment topic. Especially those of you that I've just rekindled our relationships! Cheers to all my new Face Book Friends!