Wait! Stop! What? So, a guy stole something, was caught, and then the person he stole from gave him more and he was free. To most of us that doesn't make sense. As the show continues it appears Jean Valjean has changed his life. He has become a good man, and he even says at one point that God "gave me hope when hope was gone, He gave me strength to journey on". This one small gesture by the priest has helped a man change his path on life and correct himself. We too, can help people change their lives if we are not quick to judge.
So it got me thinking, people often do wrong to us, and how do we react? I know for me, I have often looked down on them without a second thought, I don't want to act as if what they have done is right and I don't want to go on and reward them but, what makes me think that I have right to judge them and treat them harshly. In most instances, I don't know what has happened previously, I don't know their past, I don't know what may have caused them to do such things. Sometimes all a person needs is some compassion and understanding, someone to show them love and kindness and who knows what that love and kindness may do for them. It may just change them as a person.
We learn in Les Miserables that Jean Valjean had originally stolen a loaf of bread and then tried to run which put him in jail. Stealing is still a crime, no matter the reason, but we learn a little of what made him the man that he was. He stole the bread to feed his poor starving family. In his own mind, what he was doing was right for his family, he was not thinking of himself. When he was free from jail, He wanted to start fresh, but no one would give him a chance. Every one saw him as a theif, as a convict, they all looked down on him until he came to the priest. Yes, he did still steal and he shouldn't have, but what I'm focusing on is the way the preist then treated him. He didn't immediately dob him in, he did look down him, he helped him make the change, and then Jean Valjean did change.
I'm not saying that those who do wrong shouldn't be punished, and maybe using Les Miserables is a bad example but it's what I was watching that got me thinking about it.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't be quick judge those that we know little about. We should always try to show some sort of understanding and compassion, no matter what. It's difficult to put my thoughts into words but I know that from now on, I will think twice before judging, and I will always try and show compassion and love to all.
Thankful for: Friends
Something simple to be thankful for today, and that is for friends. Friends are the ones that keep us on track when we are failing, that encourage us when we're down, they are there to help put a smile on our face, they help us walk along our path of life. I grew up feeling like somewhat of a loner, I didn't have many people I could call friends. I moved from my hometown and started a new life at the age of 21 and have learnt how to value friendships. I'm not someone who has a ton of best friends, but I know now that I have friends that are there for me when I need them. I spent the day today with a friend, we didn't do much, but with real friends you don't need to do anything, it's just nice to have someone to spend some time with and hang out. So today I'm thankful for friends, for the people who are happy to just spend time with me. They bring a smile to my face.
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