Learning the truth can be upsetting sometimes. In fact, learning the truth can be down right bewildering. A few years ago, I found myself facing one of the most challenging issues in my life. I finally came face-to-face with my faults. The scary thing about it was discovering how many others were aware of my faults long before I was.
At first, I felt ashamed. I felt as though there was no longer a need to go on. Yes, I had been wrong in many of my judgments and actions towards others, but deep inside, I always felt I could overcome my faults, if only I invested enough time and energy in making the necessary changes needed. But despite what I felt and how I thought, it was the faults and mistake that were keeping me down. What was even worse is that those who knew my mistakes took it upon themselves to sit back and giggle like children instead of showing me the right way.
But through it all, I somehow found the strength to overcome my embarrassment. After digging deep into my pit of fire and distinguishing the flame, the smells of pain somehow turned into a sweet smelling bed of roses. No longer did I feel the need to be embarrassed, because I finally learned it was those faults that helped cultivate me into becoming who I have become. Ironically, I was able to place my faults back on the shoulders of those who were giggling at me. No, it wasn’t the right thing to do, but eventually, they, too, discovered they had faults too.
Over the years, I learned it is those who are lost themselves who attack those who are finally awakening. It is the fear that one will exceed far beyond ones own expectations, that causes so much fear and jealousy in others. Despite what we each endure, life is what we make it. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes one makes; there is always the opportunity to begin anew. All that is required is that we free our minds. Perhaps that is the one thing we all must conquer—learning how to let go of those old habits and associates so that we can begin anew. To many that is scary, especially when no one wants to help or even give you the encouragement you need.
It’s like the old cliché—one crab doesn’t want the next crab to climb higher for the fear of being left in the basket. But if all the crabs lift one or two of the other crabs out of the basket, maybe, there is a chance that one of the those crabs will actually reach back and pull the others out. But how do you reach that level of trust? It’s simple; just have faith.
It should be encouraging to see someone making the necessary changes and sacrifices in their life in order to educate and lift up those who just can’t get it right. It proves that each of us can do the same thing. No matter how long it takes, time is the essence of all things; patience and diligence are the two essential ingredients needed in order for each of us to become the shining stars we are. When we place so much effort in destroying what God has given, we are defeating ourselves and defeating the very purpose of unity. United we can become a great nation of excellence, but if we continue to dabble in childish pranks and unnecessary episodes of scare tactics in an effort to diminish the next person’s ability and gifts of love, we will never discover the true essence of love that dwells within ourselves.
In the end, we only have ourselves to blame. My faults are just that, my faults. The real issue is that your faults are yours. I can live with mine; the sad thing is that many cannot live with their own. But I wouldn’t laugh at you for having faults. It is those faults that make us become greatness to those who are afraid of who they really are. The answer is really simple. If we each possess the key of love, we can cease the ignorance and allow love to reign in our heart. Allowing fear and discomfort to reign and overpower our intelligence keeps the basket full of lonely crabs who will never really come into the fullness of truth, because emptiness has stolen the very ingredient we each need to survive in this cold world.
