if you were falling

Sometimes people surprise you.

You wind up talking to someone you would never have spoken to before, and over the course of one conversation you have made a new friend. This week, I've been lucky enough to experience many great conversations with people I already love, as well as a few unexpected friends who popped up right when I needed them.

It's nice to be reminded of how wonderful people can be. And how everyone has layers, even those who seem vapid or unkind. We tend to compare our inner selves to what we perceive of other people's outside personas. Which is tragic because that comparison often leads to self-deprecation.

The reality is, every person has a mess inside their heads, just like you and me. I know that's terribly cheesy, but it is the truth. We go through our day not really considering other people's inner monologues. The issue is, perception becomes reality. And more often than not, perception is flawed. And that's not a bad thing, it just makes for a skewed vision of the world.

We thrive on human interaction, whether we care to admit it or not. And when our reactions are closer and more detailed, it becomes easier to understand others. More importantly, it becomes easier to understand yourself. Because sometimes all it takes to sort out a problem is someone to listen.
And if you're lucky, someone will reach out when you need it most.


I'm not religious, but I believe in guardian angels. In some capacity anyway. I think that everyone touches your life for a reason, and it's important to acknowledge the influence that people have on you.

Every family member, every friend, every teacher has something to offer you. Whether that is through blatant advice, or being involved a more difficult situation that leads to life lessons, there are things to be learned from everyone.

I'm lucky to have people in my life who ground me and inspire me at the same time. I'm lucky to have an amazing support system full of witty, kind individuals who understand me. I know that I have a spectacular group of people surrounding me whom I love more dearly than words can express. And I'm fortunate enough to have that group growing each day.

It may not always feel like it, but they are there. There to make sure I'm running to something and not away from anything. There for me to vent my angst to. There to give me reality checks and still encouraging me to chase my fanciful dreams.

Inevitably, we all face challenges and tragedies and confusion and anxiety. It's just a fact of living. But having those people there makes it a lot easier to keep going through whatever darkness we've met this time.

It is better to stumble than to fall down completely. And friends are meant to keep us afloat.

I know this isn't the case for everyone, but I do believe that everyone has some form of support system, whether they realize it or not. There is always someone who cares. There is always someone who will listen. It's just a matter of realizing who those people are.