If I Could Give a Gift

It is my month of birth. In the past I have mentioned a flip on gifts. Instead of what I would like to have, I’ve written what I would like to give. Without going back  into the archives to look, I’m thinking I was titling them something along the lines of if I could give a gift. For the moment, we will stick to that theme. If I could give a gift..today I would give understanding.

At some point in time, we became a society where many of us became very self centered. Those pronouns went from us, we, them, to me and I. We lost more than we gained by using that mindset. One of the things lost, was understanding. Realizing that in truth, the world does not revolve around us as individuals. Realizing that every individual we have any contact with in any way, have rights, needs, purpose. No matter who they are.

Before I go any further, I will state that I know that there are people in this world who are not the best. Every basket has that bad fruit mingled within. The bad often gets more attention than the good. It is important to remove the bad, but it is also important to bring a light and acknowledgement to the good and what they accomplish.

That said, as one who is fast closing in on sixty-five years of life, it saddens me to see the changes around me. Not in the technological advancements. Not in how far we have come in the medical fields. It saddens me in seeing the divisions among people. I realize that it has always been there, and as long as this world revolves will exist. Humankind has a dark side that too many have allowed free reign. Too many allow corruption, the desire for power, anger and even hatred, to drive them.

How different it would be, if we understood that if we stood and worked together, this life would be so different. If we took the time to see that it isn’t any of the physical attributes that matter but the heart. If we had the comprehension of the fact that it is with and because of our differences that we could make life better. A dish cooked without spices may be okay, but it is bland. Add the spices and you get a much greater flavor. It is the same with people. We all bring something different and special into life. That is if we get beyond the dark and look for and appreciate the light.

If we understand the difference and use that understanding, we can not only be a difference we can make a difference. We can heal past hurts. We can build up what has been torn down. We can be a better society. I understand that we will never be perfect. There are too many who are too set in their own ways and beliefs and will never accept anything different. But if more of us understand, change can happen.

If we simply plant that seed of understanding. If we open that doorway. If we seek to educate ourselves better. If we open our hearts and minds. If, a small, two letter word that can be so large and make such a difference.

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