Gratitude's Happy Ending

What has this challenge meant to me?

Well let's start by stating that I am constantly surprised and depressed by the sad state of humanity. There is so much wrong in the world that it becomes unbearable. It is easy to focus on the wrongs because they outnumber the rights. This challenge made me change my focus. It was a struggle and I still see so much of the bad parts of people, but now I hear a little voice saying 'Stop and look at the good.' And I'm grateful for that. Even if some people are just awful, it's nice to remind yourself that some aren't. Some people are inherently good. Some people do think about others. Some people exemplify what it means to be human.

Another thing I've realized is that belief systems are only as meaningful as the people who hold them. A lot of people would jump to the conclusion that because I don't have religion, I can't possibly be a good person or know right from wrong. I used to feel like those people were just hateful people. I used to feel anger towards them. But the challenge made me stop and think about them and try to see them in a better light. Now I understand a little better that they are a product of their belief system, and they(like me) are trying to be good, they are following their belief system's rules. Maybe if I'm a part of their environment they will stop and think, and maybe even find some opening to allow other beliefs or lack thereof as still being moral. So I have to be patient, and I have to be proud of what I am, and stand up for it because I don't want people to continue believing that it's okay to think this way about other people. I see myself now as a tiny part of something that may one day mean a great deal. And that? means a lot to me. It's a way to make the world a better place and to hope that my kids will find the world a little bit more tolerant and loving when they grow up.