After I have found myself in a place that I can't believe I ended up in...mostly due to erratic 'driving' or just not following the proper road map...I stop and contemplate. I have to be still and listen. Take mental and heart felt notes. What did I do wrong? What can I do better? And how do I fill in the potholes I made while careening off down the wrong path?

I overheard my daughter yelling at her brother...telling him he's stupid becuz he was yelling at HER about a skewed understanding of something. I had to call her out...sit her down and explain some things to her. It is my fault. I have neglected part of my duties with her. Things I made sure my son was taught about life but I never got around to teaching her. I couldn't be mad at her...how would she know?

So we had a talk. I explained. She listened. She asked. I answered. I will have to take her for one of those walks through Charleston Falls Preserves to get her talking so I can gauge just where her head and her heart are at. I can't force things upon her. I can only guide and pray and hope that what is right rises to the top of her mind and heart.

One of the things I have tried to get my kids to understand is this...if you like someone, make sure it is for the right reasons. Don't like them becuz everyone ELSE thinks you should. Don't like them becuz they EXPECT you to like them. Like them becuz they respect you, they are good human beings, and becuz you just feel good being around them. And if you dislike ppl...same thing. Don't dislike them becuz others may have something against them. Don't dislike them becuz of a label. You may meet ppl that have something about them that they do that you feel is not 'right'...but can you like them as a person anyway? You don't have to approve of EVERYTHING they do.

Of course, if someone is a serial killer or a pedophile I am not sure I would even be 'generous' enough to give them a chance. I am pretty sure I would be physically sickened by them too much to even want to be near them. Narrow minded? Perhaps. WWJD? I'm not even sure about that...but I'm sure about one thing...I'm not Jesus. And I pray to do my best, but I fall short of perfect by a long shot.

All I can do is pick myself up, dust myself off...and try to be fair to others.