Show a Little Kindness

There’s an old song that starts something like this: Show a little kindness; give a little kindness; overlook the blindness; of narrow-minded people on their narrow-minded streets

If only more people would live like this. It doesn’t matter which side of what debate you are on. There is narrow-mindedness and blindness on both sides. We all need to open our eyes and look at the other side of the debate. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with them but try to see it from their side.

Sometimes issues are black and white one side is right the other wrong. Like in Math 2+2 will always be 4. But other times it is a matter of opinion. I like this and you like that. That’s fine you have that, and I’ll have this, we can still be friends. Embrace your differences.

I have always been a firm believer in accepting people as they are. I may not always like what they do, but I can always find something I like about them. If they do a lot of things, I don’t like we probably won’t become best friends. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be friendly.

Through the years I have gotten a little more set in my ways, maybe a little more judgmental; even though I try not to. I have found things creeping into my life that I don’t like. In 2022, I’m going to work on me. I’m getting rid of those things.

Yes, there is a lot of things in the world that need to be addressed. Things that are making the world a bad place to live. But there are also a lot of things in the world that are right and good. I choose to concentrate on those things.

As I get up in the morning I want to look out and see the sun rise on a new day. Look at the colors of the sky, see the glow through the trees. Open the windows and hear the Birds sing their good morning song. And thank God for another beautiful day to enjoy His creation.

I live in the country where we do have dear, moose, fox, bear, ground hogs. I love watching them play in the field, from the safety of my home. I enjoy going for a walk in the woods. Even knowing all these creatures are out there somewhere; I don’t have to fear. There is plenty of space so they can keep their distance and not have to strike out in fear.

This kind of life brings peace to my world, others may not find it so and that’s okay. It’s not the life for everyone. But for me, it centers my soul and helps me to respect another’s opinion of what life should be like. If we all liked the same things, lived the same way, life would be kind of boring. We need differences to keep our blood flowing.

There used to be a saying: Live and let live. It was quite popular until a famous singer changed it to: Live and let die. Why do so many think their way is the right way and anyone who disagrees needs to die? They talk about loving and accepting all; they talk about not discriminating, yet they don’t practice what they preach. They can only accept those who agree with them.

I have very strong opinions, that many who know me will readily attest to. But if you don’t agree with me, I will agree that you have the right to your own opinion. If it is something really important to me, I may try to sway you over to my side, but I will never hate you or wish you were dead because you disagree.

You are welcome to try to sway me over to your side, it probably won’t happen, but I hope you will still respect me when the debate is over. I will respect you.

In 2022 I want to choose my battles better. There are many things that really don’t matter one way or the other. I don’t want to waste my time and breath debating them. But the things that are truly important are worth a little time to dissect and discuss. Don’t you think?

Yes, 2022 will be a good year for all who chose to make it so. For me it will be a year of accepting differences, a year of loving differences, and of daring to be different.

Add some color to your world, accept the differences in others, and dare to be different yourself. But, above all, show a little kindness and overlook the blindness of narrow-minded people on their narrow-minded streets.