Sometimes I get frustrated that others don't take things as seriously as I do.

Rules are hugely important to me.

I was raised with a parent who saw life as black and white.

If a rule was broken there were big and painful consequences.

When I worked as a nurse, the rules keep my patients alive.

So I follow the rules in everything, except my art.

That's the one place when I give myself permission to break the rules.

I color outside the lines.

I mix colors that aren't supposed to go together.

And I try things without knowing what the outcome will be.

I am extremely timid and reserved with people I don't know.

I don't trust easily. 

I don't find it easy to believe what people tell me about themselves.

One rule I have is truth.

I have lied a handful of times in my life for my own safety.

And I still feel guilty about those lies years after the fact.

I will never knowingly put anyone else in danger.

My children and grandchildren's safety and happiness are what is most important to me.

My own health and happiness have been way down on my list of priorities.

It is much more important to live life well- to leave this world a better place, and to do no harm.

My mouth has gotten me into trouble a number of times, and just when I think I have that beast under control I cause pain to someone again.

I don't want to be that person.

I want to be a person of light and love.

I want to reach a hand out to lift someone up, not spew negativity and judgement that causes shame or self deprecation.

I realize that when I have been treated badly I internalize the pain, and that's when if flies back out at an innocent bystander.

Therefore, I need to learn to process the experiences that cause me pain so I am able to release them.

My God is big enough to take them on.

I don't expect myself to be perfect, but I do expect to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them.

We are all humans traveling earth and living to the best of our ability.

If we only think about ourselves, we will never be able to learn and make positive changes in our own lives and the world we live in.

I have realized for many years that the earth is fragile.

Maybe it was hiking around the tender alpine lakes and trees as a teenager.

Maybe it was becoming aware of litter and filth on the street when we lived in South America.

I've seen the pristine lakes in the state of Washington become cloudy and over run with invasive plants due to fertilizer run off.

I've seen the wild life become scarce, farms and dairys close down.

The friendly little town I grew up in now extends into the surrounding hillsides and cities.

Neighbors are so close in proximity, but don't know each others names.

I don't want life to consist of work, television, sleep, and food.

There must be human interaction.

Words on Facebook are often misinterpreted.

There is no emotion, no inflection, no facial expression.

There is no way to temper the softness of voice, to be gentle and slow in explanation.

And once an interpretation is made, there may be no opportunity for discussion.

We must exchange information.

We must learn from each others experiences and beliefs if we are to learn, grow, and live better tomorrow.

I don't know everything.

What I do know today might be proven wrong tomorrow, because science is constantly expanding.

I need to be open to new and changing ideas at even the most fundamental level.

And it is important to respect the principles and beliefs of others.

When people feel respected and can share their beliefs and how they have reached their conclusion, then we can truly communicate and learn from one another.

I don't have to agree with everyone, and they don't have to agree with me.

But I do need to treat them with respect and dignity.

I need to listen to what they have to say with an open heart and mind.

We must communicate and start working together.

We must learn to honor and support one another so we can make this world a better and healthier place.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

That quote is attributed to Abraham Lincoln.

Did you know it originally came from Jesus?

You can find it in the book of Mark, chapter 3 verse 25, and also in Matthew chapter 12, verse 25.

It's time to find common ground by embracing love and respect.