I guess things were kind of hitting me today, as people are arguing over how best to have a relationship for long term commitment.  I love to see people of all walks at least get along.  I have known both sides of the fence when it comes to rich versus poor.  It is never easy when people are looked down on for not knowing how to behave at a ritzy social gathering, just because they have never had the opportunity to learn how to.
Manners and etiquit are all good things, but they can also be carried to way extremes.  I have seen people get so rediculous over it that they will ostrasize their own family, just for one small slip in how they do things.  Life is not about how well you hold a spoon, or dip your fingers in the rose water.  It is about friends and family.  Those are the truest treasures on earth to have when all is said and done.
I know that the good Lord walked among all kinds of people on earth.  He talked with all kinds of people on earth, including those who were as lost as could be.  He never gave up when it came to giving even his very life for everyone.  Not just the saints on earth, but the lowly craven drunk on the corner, the prostitute on the street, the kid who is caught up in gangs.  He gave it so that they could all have a chance to come home.  That is the key there, the pathway back home.
Once in a while even the most righteous will forget themselves because they are human, and have human failings and faults.  That is part of being human.  People are people, and God knows this.  That is why the plan was created from the beginning to bring us the knowledge of the gospel.  No one is perfect by far, especially if they do not have full knowledge of what is right or what is wrong. 
I have been to places where someone is being left out because they are a bit different.  Sometimes those people that are a bit different though turn out to be some of the most contributing and wonderful people in the community if they are given half a chance in life.  It is not always wise to tell anyone that they have to live their life by a certain set of rules that you grew up with, that they may have never heard of or even knew about until that point.  You have to give people a chance and show them the right ways, rather than say here, you will wear this, do this and say this if you want to be around me.
Doors are opened by being a real friend.  Real friends listen when they hear a different viewpoint, and they treat people like they themselves would like to be treated.  Real friends do not put down or cut down others who are around them, they try to find ways to help them overcome their difficulties.  Yes expect to bump heads every so often, as that is normal in life, and people do have different ways of doing things and saying things. 
I love to meet new people, and have met people from all kinds of cultures and places.  I have known people who would not touch pork or beef as that is taboo. I have met people that to wear sunglasses in front of them is a dire insult.  I have known others that to look them in the eye is a dire insult.  It all comes down to how people are raised and what their core belief system is.  No two people are exactly alike, and that is the wonderful thing about life.  They all have different talents, abilities, gifts and knowledge that can be unexpected and wonderful. 
Yes there are bad people out there too, ones that kill for the pleasure of killing, ones that rape, murder, torture, and lie to get gain.  You will run into those everywhere.  The true treasure lies in finding the real friends, the ones that care about you, and you about them.  Yes there are differences of opinion, but if you talk about them, you can find ways around that. 
I am not advocating dating just anyone, but I am saying that you can have friends of all kinds, from all kinds of places and walks of life.  There is nothing wrong with that at all.  I am saying though, rather than restrict things with a set of rules about opening doors and how to hold a teaspoon or whatever, go for the real important stuff, like how much you share common interests, common goals in the gospel, common likes and dislikes, and how well you talk about things and listen.  Go for the important stuff which for me would be, is he temple worthy?  Does he have an active desire and wish to follow the things in the gospel?  Will he honor and obey the teachings of the gospel in his life and be willing to do his best to try to continue to follow the gospel?  Will he be nonjudgemental and respectful of others when they chance to meet? 
I think it is far more important to see how someone is following what they profess to believe, than to how well they hold a door or follow perfect etiquit.  I know all too well, that sometimes people never get the chance to learn that, because they come from broken homes, or from poverties door, or from families that for generations came from other cultures that do not have similar customs or ways of doing things.  It is hard for them to adjust to different ways of life if they have never known that their entire life.
Everyone is doing their best to get along in life, and to find that one true place where they can be happy, and find true love and friendship.  Finding that is not always easy, but it can be done if one is willing to take the time to be humble and to be a true christian at heart.  No one is perfect or ever will profess to be unless they are hiding something.  I know I am one of the least perfect people out there, but I try my hardest to be one of the kinds of people that the good Lord would wish me to be.
Someday I want to look up to the good lord and be able to say I did my best.  I think that is all anyone can do.  I am just a  little child in the ways of the gospel, but maybe someday I will grow to understand everything myself.   I just know with all my heart that God loves everyone and wants them to find ways to get along.  He did not put you or I here by accident, but by his very plan and hand in things, he brought us the way to find out who we are, why we are here, and to find our way back to him.
I love God, love the gospel, and love the ways that life has changed my pathway for the better.  I may be a member convert, but I will always stand strong in what I know is right.  I may be a bit of a tomboy and climb a tree or go fishing, but I also know that I am a lady when I need to be too.  It is all a matter of perspective in life.  Not always will things go right, sometimes even a lady will have to dive under the hood of a car if it breaks down, or get into a snowball fight if the situation warrents.  When life gives you lemons, you can make lemonade or you can drop everything and give up. 
As for me, I will be the one that is still trying to swim when the flood tides come, and rebuilding when the storms of life take everything from me.  I know that God will provide a way if the will is there.  He also will someday help me find the right kind of guy for me when it comes down to the right time and place.  Until then I will continue to have lots of good friends from all walks of life, and all kinds of places.
I know how to tell the right kind of guy from the wrong, and what kinds of things I will tolerate and will not.
I will never have a guy that is into porn, or smoking or drinking, and I will never have anyone who is not following the key principles of the gospel for myself, because I feel that it is that important.  That does not mean I will not have them as friends, but it means that I will give them a chance to become who and what they were meant to be down the road.  They have as much right to choose for good or ill as myself.
I know where to draw the line too, and there are things that I know are wrong, and will not tolerate in someone.  Ask me sometime if you wish me to go into detail. 
I guess the whole point of this is to say that people are people and will do and say things according to what they have learned in life.  Be mindful of that and respectful.  Please learn to listen and talk if you have different ways of doing things and work it out.  There is always chances to have friends, but to reject outright everyone who is different is not Gods path.  It is wise to learn from others and see from anothers viewpoint.  Just remember who you are and what you stand for.  You are daughters and sons of God, never forget that, and be wise in who you choose to date.  Be wise in your friends too, and remember what is the most important in life, to get back to heaven. If things are dragging you the other direction, then think twice about staying there.  You know in your heart what is right and wrong.  Be wise, be strong, and never be afraid to say no.  You have rights too, and those should be respected.  Best of blessings and sorry about the rant, but these things are important.  
Maraleh 

Tags: Faith Hope Dating Love Heaven Chances Right Wrong Respect