Thin Skin
M Alan Roberts

I have "friends," some for more than 26 years, whom I wouldn't call in an emergency. I don't ask for their advice, in my times of turmoil. I don't ask them to loan me, in times of poverty. I don't expect sympathy, empathy or even put-on concern from them, in times of death and misery.

But, they do call on me, often.

And, I deliver - every time.

I'm not bragging, but I want to know why everyone is so self-centered. I rely on the concepts presented by Jesus, Buddha and Mohamed for guidance. They all tell me the same things: think before you speak or act; speak and act according to what you believe and advocate; attempt to be selfless and try to understand that others do not always see what you see.

They tell me other things, too. They say to me: know that many are afflicted, with destructive thoughts; be aware that the majority are too wrapped up in their own problems to even see yours; do not expect to find sanctity in the advice of others - do not delude yourself; only try to be of help and expect to only find assistance from within yourself.

It is lonely. It seems difficult at times. It really isn't though. It's simple. There are so many elements of living that are just given. The perplexities only seemingly materialize when you become selfish and expect that your problems should weigh more than those of others. In reality, perplexities are not so perplexing at all. They are simply magnified versions of negative emotional patterns.

To be happy, we need to kick out our negative emotions and only allow the positive emotions to shine through our conscious barriers. Happiness, joy, blissfulness, pleasure, appreciation, simplicity and honor are all fantastic. Anger, jealousy, suspicion, spite, hatred, greed and envy should all be banished from our lives and our thoughts - with absolutely no exceptions.

Of course, that's not 100% possible.

We all get po'd, feel down upon, believe that we are more deserving of success than someone else and the like, but we must "check" ourselves and rise above these feelings. We must, as people who desire to gain wisdom and understand others, become vessels of growth and compassion. If nobody exercised the restraint and intent to be bigger than their negative emotions, the entire planet would operate like a combination of the Chinese and American governments: cold, murderous and without hope.

I forget why I consider my "best friends" as such. I don't know what happened. Maybe I have grown or maybe they have given up their endeavors to be more than common. Have thin skin, people. Show your truth from the inside out. Turn the other cheek when the ignorant attack you and never fail to believe in yourself - for all that you do remember.

Believe!