You belong

On the topic of loving people for who they are and appreciating the good in them,
despite their past mistakes and/or experiences:

In short:
I agree.

In long:
Everyone is worthy of love and respect.  We cannot justifiably condemn or judge a person; we don't know what they are going through, or where exactly they're coming from.  We haven't been through it.  We are all human, we all make mistakes, and we can love each other for it!  We can help each other get through our trials, overcome our weaknesses, and seek a better path.  

We can help each other.

I think most people believe this.

And yet, often our interactions with others are only surface-level.  We are too afraid to show what we consider to be weakness, too afraid to be vulnerable to the evaluations of others.  This prevents us from really caring about, connecting with, and reaching out to others--especially those who need us the most.

If we want to change society, if we want to battle the hypocrisy and judgement that we are so quick to see in those around us, we must start within.

Here's the rub:
In order for our culture to become more loving and appreciative,
We ourselves must become more loving and appreciative of others,
And of ourselves.

If we don't love and rejoice in our own goodness, can we truly love and appreciate others?
And if we don't love and appreciate others, how can we expect others to accept us?

We must take that leap of faith by abandoning shame,
ceasing to compare ourselves to others,
and most importantly,
loving God and humbly submitting to His will.

It starts with you.
It starts with me.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?'  Actually who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

- Marianne Williamson -

peace out.