"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not on success but significance- and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning." -Oprah

To see you smile...

"A smile confuses an approaching frown."

Yesterday I realized how much it means to me when someone smiles. Especially when their world is upsidedown and it's all I can do to try and bring a grin to their face. I thought of all those songs that blabber on about how they would do anything to make their sweetheart smile for a moment...I use to never take them seriously. Perhaps I still shouldn't. But perhaps a few of them truely mean what they're singing...maybe that smile does mean the world to them.

"Just to see you smile, I'd do anything that you wanted me to. When all is said and done, I'd never count the cost. It's worth all that's lost. Just to see you smile"

-Tim McGraw

These thoughts occured to me when I was with a dear friend who had a hand on the walls of heck. In one blessed moment something I said brought a smile, and it just made my whole world. I felt like I was willing to spend any time with them focused solely on their happiness. I didn't matter anymore. I believe it when people say the only was to find yourself, is to lose yourself. I've been so focused inward- and honestly, I'm sick of myself! Haha. Though it can also bring unbelievable pain, loving others is worth every tear and doubt. Nothing would work without it. Nothing matters without it.

Something inside our confused human self tells us we have to have the last word, that we have to come up on top, that we have to be right, and that the other person has to know it. It blinds us into thinking we have the right to demand revenge. The right to withold our love. The right to be the best and kick up our dust in everyones face. What a worthless and cruel waste of time! I am as guilty as the next person in letting pride climb above love on my priority list, and it makes me sick. What do we think it's going to give us in the end? A pat on the back? A boost of self worth? More like an empty heart and a mind full of regrets.

Weakness gives into anger. Strength holds onto love. Justice will be served by one who knows it's process only too well. By trying to carry it out ourselves we merely drill scars into our own hearts.

Love is the only thing that can save the world. In fact, it's the only thing that has. May we be quicker to lay down our swords and open our hearts to heal and be healed.