Labeling is a such a dangerous trend that is happening more and more these days. We all have seen disturbing examples of this very recently; calling someone ‘Crooked’, ‘Stupid’, ‘Fake’ or worse. Kind of sounds like name calling – doesn’t it? Kind of sounds like bullying? It allows someone to put another person into a neat little box with a neat little label on it, and then it’s just simple to tie a little bow on it and walk away. While this may be easy to do, I don’t really think that anyone can fit into a little box. I think we are so much more complex than that. I think we are better than that little box. And I think it is a lazy way of dealing with complicated issues. I think it is hurtful, harmful, dangerous and disrespectful to label another human being. Labeling can also be a form of discrimination. It assigns a category, a stereotype, a classification to someone, and while that label is attached to a person or group of people there is no need or desire to delve deeper, to get to know that person, or to try to understand an individual. The damage is done in the label. I think that labeling is better left to cans and packages of food.
Month: October 2018
My Friends and My Sparkles
I have been blessed to have some very cool, close friends in my life. I can not downplay the importance of these friends. These friends are family; some related by love, some related by blood. And my life is forever enriched by my circle of friends. I am fortunate to be able to add friends and expand my circle. I chose to be inclusive rather than exclusive – and so my circle grows. I am LUCKY. My friends love me, renew me, understand me, touch me. We can laugh, cry, and rejoice together. We have each other’s back. We save seats for each other. We commiserate together. We watch the stars together. We learn about space weather together. We bike together. We travel together. Some of us even play Bridge together. We do all sorts of fun fabulous things together, or not – sometimes we might just want to hang out together.
My friends have taught me so many things;
and I am stronger because of them and I continue to learn from them. I treasure my friendships, and I trust these beautiful people with my imperfect self.
Of all my wonderful friends, I have 3 friends in a very special category. They are my Sparkles . They are my heart and soul. They find me; they save me; they are totally there for me – as I am for them. I trust them with my everything and every beat of my heart. They are warmth, love, peace, life. We relish, we comfort , we grow together. I can not imagine my life without them. And I’m proud to say we have NO need for FILTERS. We know the core and foundation of each other, and there is absolutely nothing that could ever be said to change this.
Although…. one of my Sparkles did once throw a lamp at me – you know who you are – but I’m certain that I did deserve this. 
My Sparkles — forever in my life:
I also have Family Sparkles . I have my daughter, my husband, and my first friend ever – my sister. These Sparkles also renew me, and love me and stand by me. And as family, we have a very special bond that transcends all space and time.
And sometimes they know me better than I even know myself!
