We're all in this together

My son started Kindergarten this month.  It wasn't the Kindergarten class I wanted him to be in, but it was the right class for him.  He's autistic, and could not be in the general education kindergarten class, so he is in the special day kindergarten class for kids with autism.  But this post isn't actually about autism.  It's about us.  By us, I mean all sentient beings here on the earth.  So if you're reading this, you're included in the "us". 

I know I've read this before, and seen it on tv shows.  It has been said in a variety of ways, well over 1,000 times, however, I feel it's important to repeat it:

 "We're all in this together"

I am going to try and remember that when I feel compelled to speak disparagingly about others, when I'm angered by people who aren't being sensitive to my needs and my situation, when I get cut off, rear-ended, or pushed in a line, but mostly, when I speak.  Sometimes I think about women, and how we have such incredible powers.  The ability to multi-task, to create children, to love and to calm.  But we also have the uncanny ability to undermine, compete, judge, compete, and disparage others.  It is so easy, and so enjoyable when you do it, but it is so counter to our goals in most situations.  Men, women, all of us are in this world together, and if we all started operating with that in mind, with a bit more grace and patience, how much better would things be?  I know we are all looking out for our needs and that getting our needs met is key to our survival.  I also recognize that we can't all be #1, we can't all get the slice of cake with the flower on it, and that I can't expect other moms who have never had a special needs child to not be freaked out when they see autism in action.  But I can remember that "we are all in this together" and another person's inability to understand my situation doesn't really matter.  That person may have a host of other things happening in their life that keep them from being more kind-hearted.  What does matter is how I behave and encourage and educate, because no matter what, we can't live in a bubble with our kids, and we all have to work together in some way to achieve the goals we set.