I used to hold to the belief that only the religious were good people, so I tried to be religious.
I continued to drink, smoke, cheat on my wife, steal from employers, judge others, and fight.
I used the justification of forgiveness to continue my behaviors. I would feel really bad for a while, then I would start to feel better, and I would go do the same behaviors.
Eventually I hit an emotional break down and everything shifted.
I decided that I could be compassionate, empathetic, kind, trusting, friendly, peaceful, loving and not have to brag about it.
I stepped away from religion because I learned all I needed to learn from that experience.
I choose to be the type of person I wanted everyone else to be.
After losing judgement of self and others I took on acceptance of all beings.
I now understand that everyone can be an amazing being with or without religion.
May each of you allow yourself the gift of being the type of person you want to see in the world.
You are Love and Loved.
