Life Is Too Short

Life is too short to hold a grudge or feed a misunderstanding.

I think about this a lot, but I suppose Thanksiving and Christmas underscore it because these events center around fellowship with family and friends.

Why do individuals allow differences of opinion or disagreements to destroy relationships? Why do we assume that everyone has to be like us, think like us, or behave like us in order to be acceptable? Do we not realize that pride, jealousy, greed, judgment, and power are the tools of the devil?

Ours is a close family. The inlaws always got along well with the outlaws, despite different viewpoints or interests. Now the paternal cousins socialize with the maternal cousins; the potential in-laws join in with the cousins, the cousins-in-law, the step-family, etc. etc. etc. And we're so grateful, because this is what family is all about. As our tribe expands, so do our get-togethers. We refuse to let differences come between us. And we have so much fun!!!!

How is it that brothers and sisters no longer speak to each other? How can they let this happen? What possible good can come from a family torn apart? Who benefits from this?

We are human. We make mistakes; we misjudge situations. We hurt each other's feelings. We say stupid things. We forget things; we are insensitive. We neglect each other. Yeah, we do all these things just like everyone else, so let's cut each other some slack here. Let's stop behaving like children and learn to forgive and forget.

No one among us is better than another. When we get to heaven, it isn't going to matter who had the bigger house or the better car, or who got more inheritance, or who remembered to send a birthday card. It is going to matter who was kind, who reached out, or who showed compassion and forgiveness.

In a fast-growing, transient society like ours, family is very important. It gives us a safe haven, a cocoon into which we can retreat when the world gets to be too much to bear. It is unconditional love that will stay by our side through thick and thin. It is acceptance without expectations. It must be nourished for our own sakes.

I propose that, as Christmas approaches, we give ourselves an invaluable gift. If there are breaches in our family relationships, be the advocate and take the first step to fix it. Bury the negative feelings and plant the seeds of unity once again. When all else fails, it should be family who shore us up.

The same can be said for friends. Who among us doesn't need friends?

Life is too short to abandon these relationships and carry the burden of maintaining walls. It is too short to overlook staying in touch with people who matter in our lives. We can't afford not to communicate with those who share our history. Who truly wants to reach the end with regrets? Not I.