The diamond has long been a symbol of love and longevity. Why? It takes lots of time and lots of pressure to create a diamond from a piece of black coal. So does a long term marriage. But why? Why does pressure over time create something otherwise worthless into something of great value like a diamond made from a lump of coal? We burn the coal which will produce a relatively small amount of heat output but it will produce in time and under the proper pressure a much desired diamond which theoretically last forever. Should we humans be compared to a lump of coal or a diamond in process? Is the value of life considered within the confines of pressures brought to fruition or does simplicity play a role within the scope of life’s values? So far we have looked at the value of pressure on the lump of coal and it appears a worthwhile venture. How about the pressures placed on a human being in comparison? Does that pressure produce human “diamonds” or distortions of what is intended for humans to be and become? Diamonds are precious only because we humans say they are. They cannot produce heat or anything worthwhile when the monetary value is stripped from the scenario. A human diamond is one who is precious to the owner and/or user. Who is the owner? Who is the user? Diamonds are valuable only in our mind yet relative to financial gain or pride of ownership possibly connected to their rarity. Life’s a hoot when human diamonds are identified especially if you live with one. Remember that there are several “grades” of diamonds to a trained jeweler, but to the average untrained eye they’re all of some value. Appreciate yours if you have one but don’t go looking for one if you don’t. We’re all like diamonds in a manner of speaking. We call it character building when we don’t cave in to pressures of life. Good, proven character is a diamond of life worthy of everything the world offers.