The Importance of Fellowship: a response to Men & America

Where would I be without the help of my friends?  What kind of sorry mistake for a human being would I be if I didnt have the love of others to keep me on my feet, or put me back there after I have fallen?  How could I look in the mirror each day or put a picture up of my ass, because I believed I was ugly or not worthy a second glance (and of course thats just the surface, but why not)?  What kind of person would I be if every day some one told my I was worthless, a piece of excrement, not worth the dust on the back fender of the car driving away?

Ill tell you exactly where I would be.  I would be on the streets selling what I have for a price far below the worth of my spirit.  I would probably have a couple kids right now, because I didnt care enough to protect myself against such things.  I would be a stripper or a drug addict.  I would be a waste of space as a human being, lower than the low, hated even by myself, believing I wasnt even worth that self deprication.

But I have been lucky, and loved.  Held up by men and women who refused to allow me to believe that I was worthless.  Loved by people even when they didnt understand the reasons for my actions, encouraged and supported by people whether I encourage and support them or not in return, because without them I would be nothing.  Given the love I need to give others the love they need- by God's grace. 

Thats why they say birds of a feather flock together-when you surround yourself with people who dont care, or are surrounded by people that dont care about themselves or you, then you believe you are worthless.

Thats why I think Zaadz is a step in the right direction-here is a community of positive loving REAL people, who think and feel and embrace their place in this life that is the encouragement and love of the human spirit, which is so important in today's world.  Can a man forever resist the temptations of his own lust, if he has people around him that are constantly telling him to "hit that shit"?  Can a woman believe she is worth more than an easy lay if there is no one around to tell her how precious her personality is? 

Sure.  But how much easier is it when you have someone with you every step of the way, going through the same temptations, and fighting for the same cause of love and value?  Thats not wrong.  To depend on another person to help you when you fall is relationship, and to be there for someone else to depend on when they fall is relationship, and if relationship wasnt important, then you would be the only person on this planet.

I encourage everyone to love themselves-to shine brightly and give others the permission and positivity they need to shine, whether they can handle looking at thier soul's beauty in the mirror or not...Because that recognition of each others worth, and your own, causes what I like to call (and the Bible as well) the Golden Rule.