Late Night Thoughts

I've always been one to be up late. It's in my genetics for one. My folks and family have always been known for our late hours. For me it feels natural, but it also stems from never wanting a day to end. I always feel like there is more to do, though i never seem to know what it is that needs to be done. For some reason it feels like whatever is left to do cant wait for tomorrow, but as the night (or morning) gets later and later, i become too tired to do much of anything.

Except think.

And maybe that's why I'm up, maybe that is what i need to do.

Think.

There is a line from a song that was on my mind tonight as it got later.

"When it's over, it's all over, all that matters is the love you gave away".

The older i get, all that seems to matter is love. Not falling in love, or being in love (though both are welcome), but truly loving other people. Everyone. My family. My friends. My co-workers. The people who my eyes may lay on only once, and who's names I'll never know. All of them.

I'm getting better, but i have so much further to go!

It can be hard to love others, and still be true to yourself. We are all a complex mix of needs, desires, emotions... all seeking different things. All trying to meet needs, and some of those perceived needs can certainly get in the way of loving others.

Or loving ourselves.

Tonight my prayer is that i learn to love better, at least a little bit, everyday.

To love my family a little better.
To love my friends a little better.
To love the people who have hurt me, or have broken my heart.
To love those who are easy to love, even more.
To love those that are hardest to love, the ones the world tells you you have no reason to love.
To love myself, and be proud of the man i am, without forgetting all my failures, and all i have left to improve.

If i can do that then this life, which feels so unmanageable and overwhelming so often, will be just fine.

It will thrive.

I will thrive.

And those i interact with will thrive.

In the end, what more can we ask for out of life?