A Different Better

I know we all have different stories. In my life I've known an 

orphan,

singers, 

thespians, 

abusers, 

the abused, 

alcoholics, 

drug addicts, 

artists, 

leaders, 

pastors, 

atheists,

 christians,

 black people, 

white people, 

spanish people,

 hispanic people, 

eastern european people, 

asian people,

 caribbean people, 

church people, 

bar people; 

I've met all kinds of people. 

Every single kind of person I've met in my life has desired something better. 

I think it's easy to equate better with having more. 

But what I think we all want and are afraid to admit to is that we want different. 

We don't want everyone to act and be the same. 

We want diversity. We want people to be themselves. 

And we want to be ourselves but are so often too afraid to be the person we wish others would 

take the chance to be. 

I know people who have decided that they will live differently and act differently and equate better with different. Those are the people that inspire me. 

You know those people. They look at going somewhere where they don't know anyone as an opportunity and blessing rather than something to fear. 

They try to take as many opportunities as possible to step outside of their box. 

They are the people that remind you what a voice looks and sounds like. 

They remind you that a voice doesn't always have to be accompanied by sarcasm. 

It's funny to me how so many people are looking for something to make themselves into something else or someone else. 

Over the years, the songs that have hit the fan have been songs about how beautiful the individual is, how awesome being you is.

I wish everyone we meet could just instantly know that you won't judge them for their differences but in fact love them all the more for them. 

It's easy to assume that people are okay. 

I think we fall into that assumption far too often. 

Some people will say that we shouldn't have to encourage each other as much as our frail psyches would like…. 

But why not?

Seriously…what is the problem with telling someone you love them? or telling them how beautiful they are? or saying something nice about them? 

When people die, everyone gathers to tell each other how much they loved that person, how much they'll miss them, how much you wish you'd spent more time with that person…. 

You don't have to have regrets. You build the prison, fashioning it out of your own selfishness, laziness, and fear. Then you walk in, lock the door, and put the key on a necklace around your neck. 

We collect these things. We let them choke us. We let our own fear of being the person we want to be and secretly are choke the life out of us. 

Every person I've ever known has desired freedom. 

God unlocked those chains on your ankles and wrists; you just refuse to let them go. 

You don't have to be trapped inside yourself. You are set free in Him. 

If you've read this, agree, but still find yourself trapped inside yourself; know that i've been there. Sometimes I'm still there

. 

But we don't have to stay there. 

The friend of a stagnant river is the rock that blocks its way.

 Get out of your own way. 

Sincerely Yours,

The Undefeated