Come As You Are

Last week I decided that I was going to change my evil ways. I have been swearing too much, thinking impure thoughts, and I haven't been to church in months.  On Monday I started my week with a prayer and with the determination to become a  kinder and gentler Cheryl. I was determined to pray each morning before the day begins and read my bible each evening before bed.  By the time Friday rolled around my resolve had, as my mother used to say, "gone to hell in a hand basket." I prayed each morning but my bible is still sitting  unopened.   I failed to factor into this equation  the fact that if one tells God that they are going to do something then God is going to put one to a test... and test me he did.

Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33,

The week started out well but then a relative decided to pay a visit. Don't get me wrong, I like this person in small doses but sometimes I get the feeling that she merely tolerates me. Her visit began and ended like any other visit as  she made a point of telling me that I need a face lift so I won't look so haggard, she recommended a window cleaner that would leave my windows cleaner, she said that I spend too much time focused on family and need to be more adventurous, I need to sell and buy a condo in Scottsdale, and she continued to make a number of other passive aggressive comments that  were insults delivered with a smile and  a honey voice. I decided that the ivory tower of perfection that she lives in must be well insulated because I don't think she comprehends the fact that I do not see life like she does, nor do I want to.

She and I  went to lunch at a small restaurant where we are required to take the check to the cash register but my relative laid down some cash and pushed the check away as she said, "I don't do cash registers."   That set the tone for a day that went by so very slowly.    I was once again thinking unpure thoughts, swearing, and  craving a large dose of silence accompanied by a glass of wine.

After she left, I went to my aunt's to spend time with friends and  relatives.  My sweet little aunt made  a dinner that was simple but delicious.  What was most important is that everyone in the room was genuine, instead floating on a cloud of their own self importance. I became acutely aware of how grateful I am for the people in my life.  Although  I may not live in an expensive zip code, I enjoy spending my time with people who harbor a spirit of diversity that encourages everyone to just be who they are.


A part of me wishes that I could have a better relationship with  certain people but I like my simple life of "come as you are" so I have adopted a "Either you accept me as I am or you can leave" philosophy.  Unfortunately, some people forget that  a larger bank  balance  only reflects our net worth, not our self worth.

"I have known a lot of rich people in my life. And the self-made ones fall into two groups. Those who have money and learn to think and behave like a rich person (afraid of change) and those who remain the same person they were before, but they just wait in shorter lines."

Alec Baldwin