Have you ever heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Although I’ve always known the meaning behind this saying, I’ve never practiced it as much as I have been lately.

I have a lot of friends and family that I care about very much, and in watching and listening to them, I have come to realize that I know a lot of undiscovered actors and actresses as well.  Of all the couples that I know, I am sad to say I only know a few of them who are truly happy together.  They live together, raise children together, go to church together, and even exude vibrations of joy together.  Yet, off camera, they don’t even know one another.

We want to believe in the “show” so much that often we don’t allow ourselves to see behind the scenes.  Although the presentation is admirable, sometimes we need to read between the lines.  These actors and actresses who mean so much to us want us to believe they are happy in their current situations. Sometimes, they feel it is easier to continue living the act than to admit to it. But, in reality, they are crying out to us for help.  Sometimes, all they need is a shoulder to cry on or a friend who understands and can offer encouragement.

I made a resolution earlier this year to commit myself to being a better friend, daughter, granddaughter, mother, and co-worker.  I want my loved ones, and friends, to know that they don’t have to act when they are around me.

Truly knowing a person takes a lot of effort and cannot be accomplished by watching that person through your own screen of complacency.

We would all do well to remember John Wesley’s words of wisdom:

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

~ John Wesley