Life's Greatest Lesson

If you know somebody that is down and out, lonely, maybe a little scared, give them a kind word, a pat on the back, a true smile. If someone is sick drop them a line, give them a call, fire off an e-mail of encouragement. Because it's not really what you say, what you scribble down on a piece of paper, or labor over on the computer keypad.

It's only that you did. You thought of them. You let them know, even in some small way, that they are in fact not alone. You may forget about it but they won't.

And if you say oh, I don't know what to say, I'll probably just upset them, then the truth is it's only you that may be upset. You are the one scared to call. Yes, it's true, you hate that they are going through this, but you have your own life to live and maybe in the back of your mind you know that only too soon you're day will come.

Yes. It will. But you are doing them no favor by your silence. You are only doing yourself that favor. That's the damn truth.

I know. I've been there. I damn well did it. And now I know.

Now I've learned Life's Greatest Lesson. But have I really learned it? When this is all said and done will I return to my old ways, selfish and justifying my actions, or lack thereof, by happily plodding along, ignoring all the hurt and pain that others have dropped oh so cruelly and suddenly into their laps?

I hope not. Because if you fail Life's Greatest Lesson you are a bonafide bastard. We were put on this earth to create beauty, yes, it's true, but that's an egocentric engagement. But when we're not conjuring up wonderful things we'd better be helping someone else.

There's alot of suffering in this world. A lot of hate. Fear. Looking the other way doesn't make it go away. It takes a man, two arms, two legs, and a lot of heart.