Surely we have all made mistakes, but I when look at you, I choose to see the good in you. I choose to believe that redemption is possible for all of us. That at any moment you may be redeemed.

It is a radical forgiveness and acceptance.

Perhaps I hold a bias towards positivity.

I want to see people succeed. I want to focus on their greatness. It is not a denial of  our shortcomings, rather it is choosing to understand that failure is a part of the process, and the best way to move past failure is to encourage new growth.

When I call upon you in my mind’s eye, I see you smiling. I see your courage. I see your intelligence. I see your happy inner child that feels free to play, with joy.

I see beauty. It is often obvious. But even when it is hard, I am continually trying to find my way back to forgiveness – to understanding and compassion.

I realize that the things that have hurt me, are not personal attacks on me. They are a part of your process as you try to reclaim your happiness – your peace.

I understand that people are often misguided in their pursuit of peace, pursuing actions that lead away rather than leading to. I too have been misguided at times. And not wanting to be judged and condemned eternally for this, I choose the path of forgiveness, of radical loving kindness.

I choose to allow people to grow. Again, it is not denial, but a re-contextualization.

That being said, there are so many things that are naturally and obviously beautiful too. Not everything is a painful challenge that needs to be reimagined in order to come from a place of love.

There are many people, many situations that radiate great beauty.

It is not always a challenge to see the beauty in people.

But through years of practice and devotion, I have become able to see beauty in the most challenging of situations.

There are moments in life that have been transcendental. Moments where time becomes some secondary aspect of the moment. These timeless moments where the overwhelming sense of unity dissolves your sense of self and separation into one, whole, complete experience.

Moments where I am awed by the majesty of nature. Moments where the compassion of a person radiates like boundless light. Moments where the magic sucks me in and swallows me whole.

Often times, the realizations, the expressions of people have led me to transcendental states.

Sometimes I am able to see the beauty in another when they cannot see it themselves.

I think this is often the case for many people. We can treat others much better than we treat ourselves. We can be harder on ourselves than we would our friends. And so maybe it is our duty to see the good in the one’s we love, and to remind them of their beauty and goodness when they fail to see it.

I know that I have fallen into these pits and been resurrected by the kind compassion of one’s I’m lucky enough to call friends.

Friendships have been a source of great power. The idea that my life can serve others to be the best versions of themselves is an incredible motivator.

There are people that deserve to have themselves reflected back.

I think of friendships that I have had in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside people. I understand that conflict is inherent in life as well. Especially when we grow so close. We give people the power to affect us for better or worse.

I accept that my actions have not always been selfless. I accept that I have had some agendas. I beg forgiveness for my inadequacies as a human being. I see some of my faults and hope to correct them with the next opportunity.

I understand pain as a precursor to growth.

I pray that those who I have wronged choose to see that the path forward is up to them. I pray that they do not lose sight of the beauty of the world. I pray that they use the situation to grow in themselves as compassionate beings of forgiveness and love.

When I call into my mind the people that I have known, I smile and shower them with love and good will, regardless of the history. Life can be tough enough as it is. They do not need my judgments.

When I look into your eyes, I see your purity. I see your beauty. I understand that at your core you are a miracle of life and it is years of trials and troubles that have made that purity more difficult to see in yourself.

I hope that my actions can help to polish the brilliant jewel that your mind can be. 

I hope that I can continue to reflect your own inner beauty back to you, most especially, when you fail to see it yourself.