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The Equality of Life

Yesterday as I wrote the lines "death does not discriminate," I realized the same could be said about life. My friend told me all about the trials she's facing as we walked yesterday and my heart ached for her and her family. I couldn't help but think of how we all get our fair share of hard times. In fact, it led to me marveling at what I'm now calling the equality of life. 

We all have lessons we need to learn and life so generously supplies our instruction. None of us are spared. We each face hard times, disappointments, sickness, trials, tribulations, and death. We all get our fair share of troubles. The refrain, "Life isn't fair!" isn't a fair statement. Life is perfectly fair. We all are born. We all die. And somewhere between our beginning and our end, we all receive our fair share of heartache and joy!

I don't see life as hard. I choose instead to see the meaning. As my friend recounted her travails and wondered what others would think of her, I couldn't help thinking how sorry I was my friend was adding "caring what others think about her" to her already heavy burden. I shared my personal philosophy "What others think of me is none of my business," and she quite liked that. I wanted to share more about enlightened living and how allowing and acceptance could help her during this "growing season," but we ran out of time.

Honestly, I think understanding these following principles are key to ending all suffering:

Non-permanence--Nothing lasts forever. Neither good nor bad. This too shall pass. When we recognize this we can practice the sister principle of:

Non-attachment--if everything is impermanent, we will realize the futility of clinging to anything. Change is inevitable. Stay detached and you will not suffer. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional

Non-judgment--nothing is either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Reality is truth. When we judge, we have no time or space to love. Let go of your need to define yourself and others. Everything happens for a reason and everything is always as it should be.

Non-resistance--allow and accept. We live in an abundant, loving universe. Therefore, everything we receive is for our eventual good. Embrace the lessons of life and arrange whatever pieces come your way.

Finally, a few other principles I find myself chanting throughout the day that have made my life a joy:

How may I serve

We are all divine human beings with infinite possibilities

All you need is love. Love is everything. God is Love. Therefore, when I am loving, I am God.

In closing, death does not discriminate and neither does life. I'm grateful for both of these truths. Here's to the equality of life!


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