Some Kind of Battle

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." 
— T.H. Thompson and John Watson 

Once upon a time, there was a teenage girl, who on the outside seemed to have an easy life. Only child, home schooled, pretty and outgoing. But few people took the time to dig deeper, to get to really know her. Only a few understood how hard it was for her to fit into the group, to make new friends. Few cared that she felt alone, and wished for everything they complained of. Few comprehended her background, and why she was different. And almost none understood that she lived in the constant light of her grandma dying of Alzheimer's right before her family's eyes. Although she might not have a dozen annoying siblings, a bunch of animals to take care of, or a sport to train for, she has her own problems, whether everyone else understands them or not.

That story is really pretty typical, that popular girl that has it all? Her parents are divorced, and she's trying to find love in the wrong places. That jock that has everything going for him? Someone else is living his life for him. That kid with the perfect family? He has problems at school. And the girl that aces all her tests? She has a single parent, and won't get to fulfill her dreams without that scholarship. That bully? He has been picked on by his uncles his entire life, and has had to fend for himself. That pregnant 15 year old? She was raped. And, well, you get the idea. Practically anyone, whether they seem to have the perfect life, or are doing it all wrong, it isn't always what it seems. Of course sometimes it is what we automatically assume, but we should live our lives believing the best of people. Isn't that what we want others to do for us? But everyone, including me, makes the mistake of judging someone prematurely, and it can ruin the possibility for friendship, or in some cases, someone's life. Hurtful judgments can scar someone for life, I know it's happened to me. So today, when some guy is tail-gating you, and you are considering slowing down just to show him you can go as slow as you like, think the best of him, his wife's in labor and he's trying desperately to get to the hospital. :)