Tan Walls and Red Paint: Making sense of what doesn't make sense

Be cautious of the expectations you hold over people. Sometimes expectations can be too heavy. Other times, too light. Believe in everyone's potential, but be grateful for their current state of openness and willingness to grow. Don't push too hard and don't pull too quickly. Most of the time, people are the doing the best they can.

That is why we need compassion. But compassion is an interesting attribute. It doesn't cover up wounds or weakness. Instead, it delivers something much sweeter and more glorious: hope. Compassion gives assurance that no matter how faulty or discrepant our souls might seem, we still matter. We still exist. We are still worth being loved.

But compassion doesn't come automatically. Developing such Christlike attributes requires personal experience, usually in the form of a trial--a family member dies, a friendship fades, a chronic disease limits opportunity, another's agency disappoints expectations, a church calling stretches you, etc. The scriptures even say that without opposition we could not experience the joy of life. For without sorrow there is no joy (2 Nephi). Therefore, without hardship and heartbreak and disappointment, we could not know what it feels like to experience compassion. And if we've never felt compassion, how on earth can we truly give it?
___________

I've been wondering: How do we stand up for ourselves without being overbearing? How can we be confident without pushing others away? How can we be true to ourselves and considerate of others at the same time?
___________

Our personal paradigm greatly affects our perception. Our paradigm determines our relationships and how we learn from our trials and victories. If our paradigm is cracked or tinted or clouded, then our whole existence will struggle to see the light of truth. I was reminded of these facts today. That is why correct principles are so important. And why resolving false understandings of gospel principles is incredibly vital to our happiness. Because if our perception of God's love for us is flawed, then our whole life experience is potentially miserable.

So then how do we correct our paradigm? Well, it's a process. It takes time, humility, and a desire for change. But the insights do come and the growth does occur. You just have to be patient.
___________

Those are my main thoughts for today. In closing, I just have to say--for my personal reference--that sometimes, it's more important to have tan walls and red shelves than it is to have red walls and red shelves.