I am constantly amazed by the ability of people, in general, to judge, classify, and ostracize other people. It can be something simple, like they don’t dress the way a person thinks they should. Or something more complex, like they don’t have the correct Bible. I catch myself doing it, too, sometimes. I try really hard not to classify people on first sight. You rarely get it right, if you do, and it’s not fair to them or you. I really think the world would be a better place if we all just learned to coexist. I notice the stigma attached to mental illness. We’re weak, deviant, unstable, incompetent, untrustworthy, useless, shells of people. Yes, some of the worst mass shootings were carried out by those needing help with their mental illness, but so called “sane” people do it, too. Some of the worst “judges” are “sane” people. They think they are better than everyone else, and entitled to tell everyone else how they should think, act, and be.

It drives me crazy to see that happen. I generally ignore it when it happens to me. I am morbidly obese. If I focus on how people perceive me, I can barely find the strength to get out of bed in the morning. So, I try to practice live and let live. Accepting other people as they are and going on. It’s hard some times. I dress to please myself and my husband. The only opinions that should matter to me when it comes to how I look. Society tells me that I should be ashamed and hide so that I don’t offend their delicate senses.

Acceptance. Such a simple concept. So hard to practice and apply. The world is a better place when acceptance rules. Unfortunately, many people don’t see any point in accepting anyone else, especially if they can detect any difference(s). This lack of acceptance often turns into dislike, bigotry, and hate. Look at how Trump whips his crowd into a fury using the lack of acceptance like a magic wand. Scary.