"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13

If I had the ability to be in multiples places at the same time, I would reach out to every broken heart that needs mending. As I reflect here in a bustling laundromat, I can't help but ruminate that there are numerous amounts of people undergoing distress, during this 2016 holiday season. Indeed, this year has been a train wreck for many, from news headlines to the media, the year has seen events both high, low, and everything unorthodox, such as many pop culture figures like Carrie Fisher and George Michael passing away, ludicrous controversies and epidemics such as the shooting of a gorilla named Harambe, the clown sightings, the gender neutral bathroom dilemma, hurricane Matthew, Donald Trump becoming president, the assassination of a Russian ambassador, the Cubs winning the world series, Pokemon GO, shootings in America, the list goes on.

While many fanatics focus on the world's propaganda, we as humans forget what's generally important, family, love, charitable memories. There are people who could care less what major event had occurred, rather have some realism. That life is still happening, the cycle goes on, materialistic ideas fade away, yet time moves on and so do people. Human beings by nature can be selfish, although there is an appropriate time for some self-help, but the world has been cruel to many individuals this year. Suffering essentially is a part of living in this corrupted world, many of us may not like the pains that come or have come, but it is what it is, there's no fantasy land or sugar coated remedy that can cover the burdens. I believe that a threefold principle of love, hope, and faith will be one's best bet for survival, through the trials and errors in life. You've heard the old saying, "love hurts," well to some extent I disagree, because love isn't necessarily the backbiter of one's suffering, rather envy, bitterness, depression, betrayal, loss, death, loneliness, and so forth. What hurts the most is generally what a person has experienced the most.

Generally, in life, people will fail you and the world will fail you, hands down. Now, I don't intend to sound like a Debbie downer or a negative Nancy, I understand that there are people in this world who possibly restore faith in humanity, the cliche that, the "small things in life matter," and that there are temporary comforts, but I have witnessed many people live a dastardly facade, myself included, and it takes countless hours to realize it (sooner for some). The pivotal breaking point is the well of blessings that will never run dry. What I mean is, yes, there are some good traits to take in life to look forward to and the people who will run with you until your deathbed due are worth cherishing, but to find true peace is probably Heaven's unanswerable questions that unravels much like a waterfall, a couple of the puzzle pieces solved, but still an infinite, grander, majestic picture.

What I can do now, is more or less of an impact, because I'm behind a computer screen, contributing thoughts, but it may start a ripple effect to somebody. In the same way, you reading this can also help somebody in need. You may be thinking, "well, sounds encouraging, but I can't even help myself, what can I do to help somebody?" I'd say, you were made just the way you are with gifts to share abundantly. I don't know everything about you reading this or pondering the next steps, but God knows who you are. Every fiber and atom in your body is read like a book from God. But, I'm not here to preach to the choir, I'm here to what I know I've been blessed to do, to share with the community, that there is nothing that can defeat you when you trust that one small effort can change the flow of how your life may be a builder for another, just as you are building your inner house.

Here's to the holiday rejects that are suffering and can barely walk to the next checkpoint of 2017. To the boy or girl who just got dumped, you are loved. To the lonely kid believing his problems are unrelatable, you're not alone, I've been there, trust me. To the friends and acquaintances that I never talk to, I'm sorry for my past identity and I forgive you and pray for the best in your life. To the family members grieving the loss of a loved one, I'll grieve with you and I'll celebrate the memories the deceased has marked on your hearts. To the man or woman fighting addictions and demons, you will find peace soon, and you won't need that high ever again. To the teenage girl who has an identity crisis, you will find yourself because you are beautiful beyond measure. To the elders who feel nothing is left fighting for, you've come this far, you motivate me, please continue marching on. To the people suffering any brokenness, I am suffering with you, and I know that a time will come, when the pain will stop, and the tears will be wiped away, I love you and pray blessings for endurance, strength, patience, and hope to come within this next year.