How simple the sentence, but how intense the meaning.  Life brings us the gift of being able to change so many of the circumstances we live with and in each day.  What is doesn’t do however, is change the person we are and for some that can be a curse.

Indeed, there are circumstances attached to people, such as physical or mental health, which we have no control over, and those are true sign posts on individual journeys.  Yes, they do affect us greatly, but we need them because they give the character and strength accenting who we will always be, to either remind us or cause us to wipe our eyes, and see what we have ignored for whatever reason.  Nevertheless, how we would all like to change things.

Over the years, I have watched as people pass from my life, for various reasons, and on the occasion we meet later in life, someone always seems to say, “You haven’t changed a bit.”  Now of course appearance is a given, but the soul of who we are doesn’t change, it is who attracts us to other people, bonds relationships and trust and is one gift only we can share with another person.  I think it is also the curse of mankind, because we usually choose to see the circumstances of someone, and not the person when we make decisions in life.  We miss so much.

Someone in my life has recently been taking photographs while inside of her car at the car wash.  That sounds stupid, but actually is beautiful and thought provoking.  She is not seeing the factory made and over used plastic bristles and paddles, which rub dirt off the metal of her car with toxic chemical and soap – which after all is the circumstance of where she is.  Instead, she is seeing the water as it reflects and moves in the light, showing not just a unique pattern or colorful piece of abstract art, but what is normally just taken for granted as the basic fluid of life to drink or use.  In those few moments the circumstances change everything – and what will always be plain water, is given the chance to be amazing and appreciated.

Make yourself a promise, and instead of hearing yourself say that someone “Will always be there” or “Has always been a great person” or “They never do that, so I’m not even going to ask,” look closer and maybe, just maybe the reason they are who they are, is because of their circumstance, and with your help, things could change like neither of you have ever thought they could.

People unfortunately are no different than water, they can shine and sparkle in the light, serve a purpose or be left standing.  But after a while, if their circumstances don’t change they become stagnate and sometimes even toxic to both themselves and anyone else.  The easiest thing in life is to walk away, assume and accept a situation or the circumstances surrounding someone.  It takes strength and conviction to open up and make a difference for someone.

Indeed, we are who we are and it will never change – but just imagine how much better the quality of life could be if we took the chance to change the circumstances that held someone or ourselves back.

Like satisfying a thirst, what a rush!