If I could change one thing about every one it would be to make them more tolerant. Ha! This is a two fold blog post.

1

Recently my sister has had some really big issues. Like, most people would probably break down crying for weeks on end if they were in her situation. But she is coping – and doing really well. I am so proud of the way she is dealing with life.

This is facebook drama – you have been warned.

My sister made a facebook status – and it read “Keep throwing those curve balls, ‘cuz one of these days I’m gonna hit it with the broad side of my bat, and slam it out of the park. Then there will be nothing anyone can do to hold me back or stop me from scoring that home run.”

Rather inspiring, no? Well, an older acquittance of the family – who was clueless – made a rather rude, sarcastic comment in response – something about “or you could end up hitting yourself in the head and spend the rest of your life in a coma.” Classy. I know.  But it really drove me crazy. It was obviously meant in fun, but it really hurt my sister’s feelings because she really in struggling. So internet, here is my message for you:

Life isn’t lived on the internet, and honestly, the majority of it happens offline. So before you post your snide response, consider that maybe you don’t have the full story. Err on the side of being positive and supportive, because you never know how that “funny” comment will affect some one.

(Naturally, if you’re best friends with some one, or know them in real life, that’s a little different – but for those “I knew this person 5 years ago, but added them any ways type people – tread lightly. People change.)

2

I am very grateful for diverse friends. Perhaps some people are satisfied with being surrounded by a bunch of people just like them – but I don’t. Growing up in Germany, in a small high school I made a lot of friends who have stuck with me, even after we all graduated and moved out separate ways. Surpsingly, the people I have stayed in touch with, were not necessarily my best friends in high school. I know often times we hear in church “surround yourself with people who uplift you” and that is good advice, I’m not going to knock it. but I hope you also surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who challenge the way you view the world, and people who make you laugh.

I think if people step outside their comfort zone, and are friends with people they might not normally be friend with, they will learn a lot about themselves. I have a friend from high school who is the perfect example of this. She has changed a lot since high school, and I think a lot of the people from HS would probably think she’s crazy (at least the people I hung out with then). But she is facinating, and different, and challenging. Most of the things she’s done I could never see myself doing – but it doesn’t matter, because she is not me. But she is always helping me to challenge the way I think about things, and challenging me to think about why I think certain things. If I went with what all of my hs/church friend though – I probably wouldn’t be friends with her, and that would be a detriment to my life. I’m sure she would get a kick out of this – but I’m thankful that we have kept in touch E.

Another example is my husband. I was raised in a church that told me “only date members of our church” and if I had done that, I would not have the amazing sweet husband I have today.

And the take home message here? Step outside your friendship bubble. Meet new people! If all you put into the soup is potatoes, it will taste like potatoes. So spice things up!