My family is experiencing a devastating loss right now. My stepson, 13, died in his sleep Christmas night, most likely from a seizure. People are asking what they can do for my family, and i thought of a few requests. I wanted to share them here.
1) Hug your children every chance you get.
2) Ask yourself, when someone makes you angry, if what you say to them is okay to say.
3) Stop giving up friends over political issues. Whether someone believes in gun control doesnt affect whether they are a good friend.
4) Give of yourself, unselfishly and without restraint, EVEN WHEN NOBODY THANKS YOU.
5) Always be willing to forgive those who have wronged you and apologize when you wrong others. Unpaid emotional debts hurt twice as bad when its too late to reconcile them.
6) Even if you are not "Christian" practice Biblical love, which is patient, kind, unfailing, and stays strong through anything.
7) STOP using what other people do and dont do as excuses for why you lack.
8) Strive to make a positive impact in someone else's life. Even if you only are able to affect ONE person, you will change the course of history and therefore, be important.
9) Stop caring so much about what other people do and dont do. If she had a baby, if he is gay, if they are getting divorced, those things dont mean you cant love them and be there for them. Personality and lifestyle dont make a bad person, but judging a person as bad for those things DOES make a shortsighted person.
10) Finally, be HONEST. Honesty is a miracle worker. Say what you feel, with respect, and be who you ARE in any setting. Explain to those who dont accept you the things I have mentioned above. It might just open their eyes.
These things are what you can do. Learn from our tears that life is SO short it cant be wasted fighting over nonsense and carrying grudges around like 50-pound weights. Be a better person than you are, not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to. Take the challenge.
1) Hug your children every chance you get.
2) Ask yourself, when someone makes you angry, if what you say to them is okay to say.
3) Stop giving up friends over political issues. Whether someone believes in gun control doesnt affect whether they are a good friend.
4) Give of yourself, unselfishly and without restraint, EVEN WHEN NOBODY THANKS YOU.
5) Always be willing to forgive those who have wronged you and apologize when you wrong others. Unpaid emotional debts hurt twice as bad when its too late to reconcile them.
6) Even if you are not "Christian" practice Biblical love, which is patient, kind, unfailing, and stays strong through anything.
7) STOP using what other people do and dont do as excuses for why you lack.
8) Strive to make a positive impact in someone else's life. Even if you only are able to affect ONE person, you will change the course of history and therefore, be important.
9) Stop caring so much about what other people do and dont do. If she had a baby, if he is gay, if they are getting divorced, those things dont mean you cant love them and be there for them. Personality and lifestyle dont make a bad person, but judging a person as bad for those things DOES make a shortsighted person.
10) Finally, be HONEST. Honesty is a miracle worker. Say what you feel, with respect, and be who you ARE in any setting. Explain to those who dont accept you the things I have mentioned above. It might just open their eyes.
These things are what you can do. Learn from our tears that life is SO short it cant be wasted fighting over nonsense and carrying grudges around like 50-pound weights. Be a better person than you are, not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to. Take the challenge.
