Together

Martin Luther King Jr. said, "We must learn to live together as brothers, or perish together as fools". In other words, the ability to get along with each other is necessary to progress in life. How we treat others is a vital part of society. That's one of the reasons why society is so messed up. In our communities and friend groups, we turn everything into a competition. Who is the most fun to be around, who can look the best, be the most popular, gain the most friends, have the coolest house, throw the most parties--you get the gist. For every kind word, there's a harsh one. For every selfless act, there's a selfish one. For every mended friendship, there's a broken one. For every apology, there's a fight. We're filled with jealousy, spite, and greed--and for the silliest things nonetheless. We gossip, openly express our dislike for certain people, say things that ruin our trustworthiness, hold grudges, hide things about ourselves--and honestly for what? I mean, it seems like there would be some reason for doing any of that, but can you think of one? All it does is harm you and the people around you, until all we're left with is fear, sadness, and rejection. All it would take to fix it is an apology, a second chance, a tiny share of forgiveness, a little mercy, a kind word, a humble gesture. 

No one wants to be alone. No matter how introverted you are, we're all human, and we need other people in our lives. When I say alone, I don't mean you have no one to sit with at school or hang out with all the time. I mean "alone" as in you have no one to trust, and no one who loves, respects, helps, or listens to you. We go through tough times, we need friendship. And I don't mean the most common kind of "friendship" where people talk behind your back, criticize you, lead you down the wrong paths, and don't actually like you for who you are. I mean the true kind of friendship where people love you deeply, hold you accountable, encourage you, and stay by your side to fight storms with you. That's what we need more of today. Be that person for someone. If you yourself are alone, then search out someone who feels the same way--I promise they're there. 

Life is far from easy. We all know that. However it's much harder for life to get you down when you have 1, 5, 15, 30 people holding you up. If we can all just get over our petty disagreements, we can create awesome communities. Until then, we're stuck in a swamp of our evil, alone. Trials becomes better when we choose to be selfless and help each other out. Boring times become better when we choose to put aside our haughtiness and develop the ability to laugh with each other. It all simply starts when we choose to live how we were meant to live--together.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12~

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." ~Hebrews 10:24-25~

--Love, Amanda