I oft say, “Life is complicated.” I realize that I too often say it so nonchalantly that I may as well be saying, “The sun is bright.” In doing so, I miss the opportunity to acknowledge the need for compassion and empathy.

My wife and I watch old Hallmark channel movies, Great American Family movies and older movies with good stories. There are always predictable twists and turns, misunderstandings, and details from the characters’ past that don’t become revealed until later in the movie when love and resolution are found. And they remind me…

Life is complicated…for everyone. Every breathing person has in the past, is dealing with now and will cope with later: losses, struggles, histories, demons, complications, uncertainties, fears, defeats…and yet, we tend to look at people – including judging, evaluating and responding to them – too often as if none of those things exist in their lives. We see success, beauty, smiles, and such, forgetting all that is hidden.

Life is complicated…for everyone. Nothing is exactly as it seems and no one is exactly as they appear to be. Let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt with a helping of compassion and empathy.