The Nice List

The above image is circulating around Facebook lately, and as with most things like this, these proclamations created by one but used by others, you can’t help but see it. And it is usually the used by others part that annoys me most, because I think the message gets a little lost, a little reinterpreted for convenience. But, as is the case here, some are far more embraceable than others (is embraceable a word? I have decided yes, because I want to be embraceable. And you are embraceable to me, always. So, yes, embraceable! Ahem! Tangent.).

The part I like about it most is that it gives others the benefit of the doubt, assumes that people have the best of intentions, and that really, most people just want to be nice. That is what I try to do every day. Because, yes, I would love to love everything with my whole self every day, but I am not designed that way. I am instead given challenges and obstacles and forced to take risks in order to love, rather than it just being easy. Sometimes I fail and all I can come up with is… niceness. Which is okay, too, because sometimes I don’t even do that well, and niceness is a lot closer to love than honking my car horn impatiently. FOR EXAMPLE.

And just as I mentioned above, I am using the message in this image for my own interpretation, too. My own benefit, even. It’s unfortunate that during this time of year is when we hear most about differing belief systems and religions because it always makes me wish we could hear about what people believe all the time. And embrace that. I mean, I don’t necessarily think that this is all we should talk about, of course, because there are episodes of Real Housewives that I accidentally have to DVR each week, but I do wish we could spend the better part of the year learning more so that when it comes to this part of the year, we could just appreciate. And while I haven’t studied every religion on Earth to a science, I do know that taking the time to appreciate is a big deal across the board. Being still. It is the oldest/newest trend.

Generally I believe in teaching by and learning from example and on the occasions in which I’m questioned about what I believe I’m happy to talk, but most of the time I figure I’m walking the line between growing myself and not being different enough to attract attention. I once had a nutritionist tell me that “It’s not what you do between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s what you do between Christmas and Thanksgiving.” That has always stuck with me in a spiritual way and I think of it during this time of year more than ever. How true it is, and how motivating it is to me to remember that it is my job to learn more all year round. It is my job to love more, to embrace more while becoming more solid in my belief at the same time,  and that this is the way to become closer with my God.

So, yes, like in the image above, I will be happy with whatever greeting you choose. I will know you are embracing the spirit of the season you celebrate. And I will remember that it’s coming from a place as dear in your heart as my greeting does from me. We will believe, truly, that we are here first to love each other, and that often means first just being nice.

Thanks for being on The Nice List with me.

Love,

Lesley