Saturday morning, I sat on the deck stairs awaiting my puppy’s first outing. As i sat there I noticed this little guy out of the corner of my eye. Initially he had me fooled as if he were actually a part of a branch once attached to the railing of the deck that had all been cleaned away, all except for this piece. The stick insect, or Phasmatodea have several defense mechanisms as seen in this link. http://insects.about.com/od/stickandleafinsects/a/10-facts-stick-insects.htm
Did you know if there is no male around the females can reproduce parthenogenetically? Meaning, if you’re here, I will utilize you. If not, I’ll just do it myself. WOW! This made me think of the recent issues with LGBT(QI) community among plenty of other individuals or groups and their decisions to live a lifestyle that may not be accepted in some “circles”. 
Today I reiterated a lesson I have taught my son over and over about putting his hands out the open car window. I remember being a child and the wind feeling so amazing against my skin. I remember how it made the tight skin of the palm of my hand pull and flap, among placing pressure against my whole arm while it hung out the window. Then, as an adult I met a man who told the story of having his hand resting against the top of his open window as he drove down the highway; but he didn’t enjoy the flapping of his skin that was scraped off among the tendons, ligaments and nerves that were torn to shreds after the car was hit and rolled over his hand against the asphalt and caused him to need several surgeries and loss of some of his hands’ function. I told my son, “didn’t i tell you about my friend Ron, and what happened to his hand because he had it out his window?” 
My son, the smartypants, says, “mom, did you ever know anyone that fell out of a tree?”

To which I replied: “Actually, yes, my Uncle Dan. And he’s paralyzed from the fall.”

He then says, “well how come you let me climb trees then, and today when I fell out of one, you didn’t even freak out?”
He was ABSOLUTELY right. 
Sometimes it takes a small person with a literal mind to remind me, and the rest of us, that we cannot be afraid of all of the things we may not understand. Sure, we can have a list of defense mechanisms and a longer one of fears and lessons we have learned from others mistakes or mishaps, but the reality is, we are all here for our own plan, our own agenda, our own course. And we can spend it persuading others to see what we see and do what we would like, but maybe that’s not their method, and not a part of their purpose. 
The bible prophesied Jesus being crucified but everyone wants to point a finger at the Pharasees and Pontius Pilate. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but guess what, in order for the prophecy to come true, there had to be pharasees and there had to be a Pontius Pilate. Why would “God” condemn something that was made “in His image”? Afterall, we are all part of this greater plan, aren’t we? And if Jesus wasn’t crucified wouldn’t that make God a liar? Even Paul the apostle cut off the heads of Christians, but in todays world we are quick to condemn those that do things we don’t think are “right”. Didn’t God handle Paul? What makes us think God won’t handle ISIS? Or us for that matter? 
We all have a role to play in this life. Whether we are the stick insect making due with what we have or the literal child that questions fear based life lessons, or Pilate awaiting the prophecy we would give into because “the people were relentless despite our own objections”, I think we are suppose to live, and let live. 
Nelson Mandela Said it best: “For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
An except (rough draft) from upcoming book W.I.L.H.I.A.Y.C.F.J.I.A.F.H., by Roxanne Birth Nelson