Egocentrism

First of all, thank you, Holly, for providing me with the title necessary for today. You're fabulous!

To really start this off, the name of my blog is Walking in My Own Shoes. Basically, the blog is in place to keep me aware of my journey in life and following along my own path. However, by focusing on my own path and walking in my own shoes, I do realize that there are many other routes in life and many other shoes that are filled. My path and my shoes are not the only ones that are present in this world. I do recognize that much.

Simply because I may think or feel one way, doesn't mean that everyone else I encounter or the billions of humans I will never encounter, will think or feel the exact same thing in that exact moment. Maybe they have been there before and got burned on that path. Or perhaps that path was never meant for them and they simply chose another. There are several concepts, situations, areas of life that I am particularly passionate about. I know in my heart and soul that I am set in my thinking on them. I have done the work to explore all options of those particular areas and happen to have found that my heart is set to defend my stand or my view point. My point of view works for me and fits my life. I do know that my view doesn't fit every individual. In some instances, I will provide information to others, but I will also listen to your view on the topics. I may not agree, but I think that seeing the situation from someone else's perspective is insightful. The human mind and human behavior fascinates me. That doesn't mean I think I am right, think you are right, or that I always agree. It just IS.

If you encounter me and tell me that you think or feel one way, but I don't, I am not going to tell you that you are wrong and that your feelings aren't valid. You're not wrong and your feelings are valid...for you. It just may not fit where I am in my life.

Egocentrism is basically believing that everyone sees the world as you see the world. However, we are not living in Utopia. Sorry, if you thought we were. You may be walking through life with your heart open, but that doesn't mean that everyone else is ready for such a bold and freeing move. It is a very scary step to take, especially if you have been hurt. Or if I have opened my heart and you have not, please don't dismiss that I feel, just because you aren't there.

This is my path. This is my journey. I am exactly where I need to be and want to have the freedom to feel and think what I want. You don't have to agree with where I am or what I feel, but don't push aside that I think or feel. Life isn't the personal fable that we had once believed it to be...or perhaps still believe it to be. Now, put your ego aside, this blog wasn't about you. ; ) Just a little reminder for myself. This is simply where my mind is today.

Not the Only One

I am sort of in a hurry, but there are a few things that I wanted to unload before going about my business today.

Mainly, the whole point is that I realize that I am not quite as unique as I had once hoped. Perhaps, I am gaining back more of my realistic point of view.

I know that the pain I have felt in the past is not unique to me. It has been felt by many others before me and will be felt by many others after me.

The situations I have been in, others have experienced before.

Feelings of happiness and love have been shared amongst all of us humans that feel.

My past, present, and future sufferings are not one of a kind.

Does that make the pain hurt any less when I see that others have been there before? NO. It just shows me that there is happiness on the other side. It gives me hope to push forward and not accept my suffering, by being content.

I don't want to be a martyr or a hero anymore. I do not want to carry the weight of these things on my own. The good or the bad. I want to be able to open my heart and share what I experience with my family and friends. The people that are always by my side, the ones that support me, love me, and care for me.

I don't believe that because others have been there before me or that others will be there after me, that it makes anything insignificant. It is a blessing.

I plan to push forward, share my love and happiness, and keep my heart open. I don't want to be jaded and live my life being afraid. So, cheers to not being one in a million.

A Four Letter Word

It's a four letter word. Four simple letters, pressed together, making one little word. Some think that it is a bad word or a cursed word. It is just one word and sometimes saying it does nothing more than provoke fear in the person that hears it come from your mouth. Other times, the word seems to be filled with nothing more than lies. To me, this word is one that should be said with care.

Perhaps I am out one day and a small child says this word to me. I can react in several different ways. This word is easier for a small child to use, than it is for most adults. I can look at this child and mouth back the word. Is this fair to do, even if I don't know the meaning behind the word? Or, I could look at the child, tell him/her that they are sweet. There are many ways in which I can handle this encounter.

I hear this word on a daily basis. I hear it from my child, my friends, and my family. I use this word on a daily basis. I say it to my child, my friends, and my family. I have heard this word thrown about, as if with no meaning. In the past, I have said it without understanding what the word even meant. I am guilty of abusing this word. In recent years, I have began to understand. In understanding, I have encountered my own fears of those four combined letters. I have gone through times in which I believed that this word could ruin anything. There have been moments in which I have avoided saying or hearing such a thing.

Today, I am embracing the word. LOVE. Love. Love. Love. Unfortunately, for many people, it is far easier said than done. I am not any better. I have been there before. Today I am willing to love and willing to let those that I love, know that I love them. xoxo