it only takes a minute, one morsel of news to really put me back into my place. the knowledge that 33+ lives were senselessly ended and many thousands of more emotionally wounded can suddenly make the petty and small disappear.

it's easy to get wrapped around your own problems and turn a blind eye to those who are really in need. i wonder how many deaths and violent acts would really occur if we were more conscious of our friends and peers.

i tell myself that i had a pretty bad month. i had an accident, had things stolen, had car troubles...

but as i drive by the guy begging on the corner or i see the people whose lives just didn't work out the way they wanted, i'm reminded that i need to be more thankful for what i do have.