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Believe People. Believe, People!

So my brother was told this week by a friend (a friend, I might add, that he made only a few months ago) that he is the one who taught her unconditional love. Before him, she claims, she has never felt unconditionally loved. Note, my brother and this young lady are friends, no otherwise interest. But his friendship has meant something profound to her. I really look up to my brother for embodying that.

However, as my mom, brother and I chatted about this experience, we all felt a little melancholy that he was the first to show her that. Hearing a little more about her difficult life, it made a little more sense. But it still wrenched our hearts a mite.

I was reminded of a friend I used to work with. We worked together for about 8 months, we spent several hours a day together--often one-on-one--during that time. On my last day of work, she turned to me and said, "Mikayla, when I first met you I didn't trust you. I thought you were way too happy and way too nice all the time. I thought you must want something from people, and you were just being kind to them to get something out of them, to use them. But after a few months, I thought it must be exhausting to pretend to be that nice all the time. I realized you were real. You're one of the most down to earth people I've ever met."

I was bashful. In the same moment I felt both deeply appreciated and quite sick to my stomach.

The thing is, guys, I was honestly just being myself. I try to live by a motto of choosing kindness and refraining from anger, but I am no Mother Teresa and I have a long way to go. Honestly, I wasn't going out of my way for her. Soft tones, asking about people's days, remembering details about their lives--it's just a part of my social routine. I PERSONALLY KNOW DOZENS, PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT DO THAT. Isn't it normal? It broke my heart that she didn't have that practice shown her regularly in her repertoire of family, friends, acquaintances.

Between my brother's experience and my flashback to my own friend, I've been thinking today how important it is to BELIEVE PEOPLE. Believe it when someone is being kind to you that they really mean it. Believe when someone gives you a gift that it's a sincere gesture. Believe when someone tells you they're sorry, or that they forgot and are trying to remember better next time. Believe people. But also, be worthy of being believed in. Give people a kindness and a love to believe in, ESPECIALLY the people dearest to you--your family and your friends.

I know there's a number of ill-willed phonies out there. I've been cheated by my fair share of rotten rapscallions before. But I just can't abide the thought of living my live suspecting everyone of it.

Believe people. BELIEVE, PEOPLE!

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