What Does It Take To Be Kind To Each Other?

A Whole Lot Of Love

In this day of racial tension

What once was the good is now the bad

Where it is easy to pick a fight

Then make a friend

Will, there be no end?

I don't think it is all about justice

Right and wrong

I think it is much deeper than that

Where we forgot who we are

We are people who have made mistakes

We will continue to make more mistakes in the future

Not the same ones over and over

There will still be faults in our ways

Instead of picking us apart

Like a lab rat in a science class

Aren't we so much more?

More complicated than the eye can see

We have a whole history

Not just this day in question

I can't wake up every day

With anger and fear

I won't live in hate and distrust

My first words will never be

I don't care

I grew up in a world that had meaning

Where I can always remember not liking all the teachers that taught me

I didn't have any choice

I was told they know better

Did they really know more than me?

It made me try harder to fix what problems I faced

I will tell you

Many things didn't change

Soon I not only moved on

Over time I forgot

What I did say to myself a zillion times

I will not be like them

I will be like the teachers I respected and loved

Did I go on to become a teacher

No, far from it

I didn't fight the system

Even if the system was broken

My life like so many other students

Was a struggle and a learning process

It was a different time

Time will never be the same

It wasn't for me and won't be for you either

We have to learn to make peace

Not just with our neighbors and friends

Starting with our own families

Even if they are people we don't agree with or understand

We don't try to change them

To our way of thinking

Which has to be the right and only way

Instead, we can try to make them see a different view

One we can both see some truth and some right

Bringing about a new light

To a dark period of our life

So we can find a way to move past this time of trouble

Some people may think it is a burden

A cause or a change that has to happen

Could it be an eye opener

To the news we don't want to hear

There might be some truth hidden

It brings me back when I was a young boy

I didn't like dentists

I went because my parents made me

They brought me

Not because what I wanted

What I needed

I have to keep my teeth healthy

If I don't go to the dentist because of fear

Of what other dentists have done

I would have bigger problems in the future

They will not just go away

I still go to this very day

Nobody cares if I go or not

There is no one forcing me

I realize I have to make a choice

It is a better choice

Over time not just my teeth but for my whole health

I am be wiser because of my actions

It comes with a cost

Nobody is here to pick up the bill

You could say I was responsible for my teeth condition

There are many ways to see that

Blame it on bad dentists

Who didn't know any better

Did I forget to brush and floss often enough?

Yes, I wasn't the best

Could it be hereditary?

So do I blame my mother and father?

Could I blame it on science

We just didn't know enough

It took better methods and fluoride

To help children of today

Have better teeth

Once again people will disagree and some argue

Is fluoride really a good idea?

Then years ago my family didn't have the money?

While other children I knew did

Do I curse all my life?

Do I blame other people for the way things were?

I have and had no choice but learned to move forward

Every day I live with my aches and pains

Are they the biggest and worst things in the world?

Far from it

They are my physical and emotional baggage

That I can not just forget

Sweep under the rug like it never happened

I lift my head up high

Looking for other people not things that make my life better

Things only give me a temporary happiness

That fade as fast as the sun sets

Is that the only problem in the world?

Not a chance

Every day I can find a new problem

One that existed long before I saw it

From the common flu

To love that is as tricky and so complicated

Work problems that come out of nowhere

My own health and welfare

The uncertain future

My families problems that don't disappear

Like yesterdays supper

They show up in tomorrows lunch as leftovers

Even when they are gone

They still exist next week

We have to eat again

We can not go without eating

It will be ongoing

The list is endless

I have found one solution

To get through all of this

To focus on what I have

Not what I don't and have missed

Like the tissue that I should of kept

When I first had a sniffle

Knowing there might be another sniffle to follow

I go without and later wish I had

Sometimes I am better prepared

Then out of the blue

Something better happened

I found a tissue box where I least expected it

At the dentist of all places

So some good things can come from some bad places

I felt better even if it was only temporary

So I am in search of friendship

Not just one that goes away when the sun retreats

That may not keep me warm

On the coldest winter days

Instead gives me great joy and comfort

When I turn up the heat

I will always look for a new and better way

Even though I may try the old way often

Some days I am more disappointed than happy

Then to my surprise

Through all the problems and catastrophy's

I get what I have been always looking for

Those days that no one thought existed

That make me

The happiest I have ever been

Comments

DREAM ON (author) on November 22, 2020:

Nigel Koay We have the ability to be many different things to many people. Being kind is something that can be helpful to all people involved. We can accomplish more and feel great about it. Coming from your own heart makes it genuine and comes naturally. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your important thoughts. Have a beautiful Sunday.

Nigel Koay from Malaysia on November 22, 2020:

Great message Sir! i believe as well that it is important to be kind as much as possible and be kind through your own heart. Have a nice day!

DREAM ON (author) on November 22, 2020:

Chrish Canosa I love so many of your comments and thoughts. You are very clear to me. You bring out the best things that you do and you always are upbeat and positive. In life, we don't always know what direction we are going. At least for me I put one foot forward and try again and again. I know what I try to do and it is not what I accomplish or succeed at. Other people make everything look so easy. Not the case with me. I find it hard and frustrating. Then I take a deep breath and write a little and feel better. Maybe nothing on the surface has changed only in my mind can I be the happiest with the craziest and unbelievable good thoughts. Thank you so much for reading and sharing. I am so happy to find one comment. Then when I see two. I am more excited than ever. in appreciation I try to do another writing. To not only explore what I don't know but to appreciate what I have lived and done. Friendship is so special. People are so interesting and I don't think I will ever figure them out. The joys in life are many. We just have to take it one day at a time. Have a great day filled with enormous energy and endless love.

Chrish Canosa from Manila Philippines on November 21, 2020:

Great message Sir Dream on !!! I'm trying to be okay of being misunderstood.

Have an awesome day :-)

DREAM ON (author) on November 20, 2020:

Brenda Arledge I see some of the young adults of today and I wonder what they are doing. Why can't they see? Then I know my father thought the same way about me. So am I no different than the children of today or am I turning into my father? Either way, it makes me think, and sometimes I just get a headache instead of results. It is always good to see another side or angle. Then again I am so lucky to have friends like you that realize we wouldn't and couldn't do that when we were kids. For one reason only. Our fathers and mothers would kill us. Then we wouldn't be here today. Thank you for reading and sharing. I love to read each and every comment many times. Until your thoughts resonate and leave a lasting impression.

DREAM ON (author) on November 19, 2020:

Mr. Happy I know we can be pushed to the edge. When that happens I try to picture myself watching a movie about my life and I can take myself out of the heat of the moment and all the action. Getting a better grip on where I stand or how I can sit this one out. This keeps me out of so much trouble. I have time to calm down. Then again nobody is perfect and I hope people have a bad memory then I can put my past behind me. Thank you so much for always sharing a little more insight and making it real. Have a good night. May things not just look better tomorrow may they actually turn out better.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on November 19, 2020:

I strive to be a better person each day but like you, I am sure I have my shortfalls.

People don't really put forth effort like we used to in the good old days. It seems they just don't really care.

They have an all about me mentality or so it seems.

That's one reason I love Hubpages because the people here seem to be genuine.

We cannot blame anyone but ourselves for life is what we make it.

I hope your teeth eventually get feeling better.

Money is the root of all evil or so they say...We can't seem to have enough of it.

Take care.

Mr. Happy from Toronto, Canada on November 19, 2020:

Thank You for sharing your thoughts. I generally try to be kind but I do have my limits, haha!!

All the very best to You and la familia!

DREAM ON (author) on November 19, 2020:

John Hansen I made a mistake and was trying to multi-task. I get ahead of myself. My wife can do five things at once. I have trouble doing just one. I am so happy and so thrilled I am married. My wife does so much more any day of the week than I can ever do. Thank you for reading and helping. All your suggestions and thoughts are always welcome. Have a great night. My night is soaring through the open skies. That is just from the biggest hug I got from my wife. What a life. The temperature dropped to about thirty- four degrees outside. I am so glad I am not camping or an animal outside.

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on November 19, 2020:

Thank you Dream On. What you write always encourages us to be better people. (Oh, it seems you may have forgotten to accept comments because only your replies are appearing, not the original comments by readers.)

DREAM ON (author) on November 19, 2020:

John Hansen I think people need comments like yours to keep them thinking. It is one thing to write a poem and it is another thing to hope someone reads it. You have given me so many comments over the years that keep me writing. I am so thankful and appreciative. We can all bring about small changes and together it can be one big change. If we do it sensibly and peacefully is yet to be understood. Thank you so much and have a wonderful morning.

DREAM ON (author) on November 19, 2020:

Ann Carr There is so much good I haven't discovered yet. I am eager to see what life brings and I always have room for one more smiling baby and a mother and father who have nothing but love to give to see their child grow up happy. We face many problems a little bit different than the past and I am curious how we overcome and find ways to persevere. Sunny skies are coming. Thank you so much for always sharing and caring about so many of my poems. It means so much to me. May today be brighter and happier than we were before. Even if it is only in our own mind then one day it may become reality. Have a great day.

DREAM ON (author) on November 19, 2020:

Peggy Woods I don't always like the choices I am given but it doesn't mean I will cause other people harm. I will think long and hard and try to find a better way. Sometimes there is no easy solution. I know I can learn from other people that are much more knowledgeable than me. Even if I listen to them it does not mean I will change. I have the opportunity and it is my responsibility to do what is right. Then I do what I want good or bad and learn to live with my choices. I appreciate all your comments and support. Thank you for reading my poem. May we all learn to help each other any way we can. Have a lovely day.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on November 19, 2020:

You have shown much wiseness and growth of mind and spirit in what you wrote. Life is not fair and some people are dealt with worse hands than others but seeking what is right and fair and moving forward is the best approach. Seeking peace and loving those who reside outside of ourselves is also the best approach.

Ann Carr from SW England on November 19, 2020:

Wise notions here. It's so much better to concentrate on the good than moan about the bad - and it's easier on our minds and health. If we can't do anything about it, then why beat ourselves up?

You're right, there is too much criticism and fighting - let's try a better way, let's talk, let's be good to each other and maybe, just maybe, the world will slowly become a better place. We have to try and we have to love.

Ann

John Hansen from Queensland Australia on November 19, 2020:

A great piece of writing Dream On. I agree with the points you make. the world has changed a lot and mostly not for the better, but we have to hold on to our values and hope things improve. Look for the best in every situation, and imagine if everyone had that attitude. Have a great day.