Energy. Or more specifically, energies. The energy of calm is very distinct from the energy of anger. The energy of compassion is very different from the energy of righteous indignation. The energy of acceptance is very different from the energy of hatred. And the comparisons go on. Each emotion has its own energy feeling. Different wave-lengths, if you will.
Since all I've heard since I was a young boy is how lovely heaven must be; beauty, quiet, warm fuzzy feelings, smiles all around, angelic beings hovering around everywhere to watch over the guests. If heaven really were that wonderful, why would people want to spend all their living moments in hell on earth? I would think they might want to practice living in the glory and wonder of the feeling of heaven while they're alive. But, maybe they believe they have to wait for death to take them over the threshhold into the land of milk & honey.

    So much hateful, vengeful energy spewed out from those alive on this planet. Oh, and so many righteous rationales for why they HAVE to be that way. Oh, but wait til' they get to heaven and all will be right with the Lord. What? Is God, or Jesus, going to open his arms and greet all those Christian zealots with love & affection for them having kept all the heathens straight?  In more ways than one. Is the plan to be spiteful here and gain entry into heaven later on when you have the time to luxuriate in bliss? Seems to me there are going to be a lot of disappointed people climbing a stairway to nowhere after they pass from this mortal coil. Only too late will they realize the option was heaven or hell at every moment. And for too may of them they made the wrong choices over and over hoping to make things right at some future date.

Too bad. So sad.

You have something you believe in,

something you treasure, like this flower

(which could = hamburger / vitamins / gun / hot cocoa / gummi bears / libertarianism / peace / war / etc.).

• Some people will be allergic to it
• Some people will love it and want to share their own flowers with you too
• Some people will hate it and berate you for even growing it
• Some people will be indifferent

• fight with the people who are allergic and rub the flower all over their faces
• join a flower loving group
• berate those who hate flowers
• ignore the indifferent
• force flowers on the indifferent

• develop high blood pressure and ulcers from all the fighting you participate in
• secretly or not so secretly enjoy waving your flower around in front of those who are allergic
• educate those who are interested about your flower
• respect the boundaries of those who aren't interested, or are allergic

You can have your flower. You can enjoy it. You can find like minded flower loving folks to hang out with. You can find groups of people that in general like your flower.

Life isn't fair and everyone won't like your flower all the time. There are no guarantees.

You can survive this.

Yes, your flower is beautiful and it is yours.

And you can respect the preferences, choices, and boundaries of others.

Respecting the choices of others does not threaten you or your flower.

You can have your flower.