Matters of perspective.

There is so much that has me down today. My heart just feel heavy and over burdened and I would have no problem just sulking and shutting the rest of the world out.

I am a lucky girl though. I have some seriously amazing friends in my life who seemingly stop at nothing to keep me above water when I feel like just sinking to the bottom. Not only that, but I have friends who are struggling with things that are much more painful than anything I have ever had to face. Yet they are carrying on with just grace and poise.

Simply incredible. Incredible faith. Incredible endurance. Incredible love.

So the troubles I have weighing on me are more bearable than they initially seemed. It may be some of the hardest times I have personally had to endure... but keeping in mind that it can always be harder give you a new perspective. A friend has sometimes said that you should always treat strangers with kindness because you never know what they are struggling with that day. For whatever reason that has been popping into my head more and more often when I am out and someone ticks me off. I stop and wonder if maybe they are in a hurry because a loved on has been rushed to the hospital. Or maybe because they were at work and the nanny for their brand new baby called and said something was wrong. Maybe their 4 legged child has been injured and needs to be rushed to care. Maybe they have a friend who has been having some dark times and is suddenly unreachable... the point is, we never know the battles the people around us have being waged inside of them. Perhaps a gentle smile or encouraging word is all they need to have some of their baggage shifted.

It makes a difference.

We all have struggles that are painful and seemingly impossible; yet someone else is always in just a little more pain. Just a little more broken down. Just a little closer to the end of their rope.

So while I could go on and on about the wild pain ripping through my heart at this time... I'm choosing to remember that I don't have so much to complain about when compared to the trials of friends. I would unload some of their pain on to myself if it were possible just so they could at least catch their breath for a moment.

My heart is still sinking in my own chest, but I'm not alone.