As a society we are taught there is us and them. Why is that? Why is it always us fighting them? We are all part of the human race. We all have people we care and love. We all have family either blood or family family we have created.
Can you imagine for just a moment if we truly treated each other with respect and love? How would that change your outlook on others? How many lives could be saved or at least improved?
As much as the government, media and different groups want you to believe we must choice a side. The only walls are the walls we put up around ourselves and others. If we where to standup and unite we would be able to not only improve things for our neighbors but for ourselves as well.
The old saying "it takes a village" has lost its meaning in our society. We put our kids in front of the TV or computers and let their minds be modeled by such hate for others. When what we should doing is getting to know the neighbor next door.
I know for myself when I get home sometimes I just want to go inside and just block the world out. In doing this I am missing out on getting to really know what is going on around me. Who is having a baby or who is having issues with sickness. Sometimes just sitting and talking with a neighbor or relative for five or ten minutes can have such a positive impact and you not even know it.
As I sat down to write this I had a customer come in and tell me about her next door neighbor that had unalived himself and it broke my heart. I did not know him or his situation at all but it makes you think how could things have gotten so bad that this was his way of dealing with it. Why are we so disconnected from each other?
In working with Pikeville Pride, since 2018, I have been able to connect with so many that their families are not accepting or have have completely disowned them. It warms, as well as breaks my heart when doing the FREE HUGS seeing someone come running for a hug. It warms it being able to show them the love they are in need of but at the same times breaks it because they do not have that in their life as they should. As a parent I can not imagine not being there for my child, especially over something they have no control over. They do not wake up one day and say "I am gay now." They are born that way.
Why are we letting these differences divide us when they should be uniting us. It is our differences that make us who we are. It is our differences that can bring us together to become the community we should be.
When you see a large dark skinned gentleman after dark do you pull your purse closer to you and move away? Why? Did he say anything or do anything to make you feel scared or where you programmed by society to fear him for the color of his skin? Some of the sweetest men I know are some of the ones most people would say would fit the stereotypical "bad guy" image. In getting to know them I let their actions speak for themselves. They treat me with respect and I treat them the same.
Yes, I know it is not all rainbows and hearts out there in the world and not everyone has positive intentions. What I am saying is how can we change the world around us to help improve not only our lives but maybe one other person's life as well. Then if that person has a positive impact on someone else the ripple will grow and grow. Just as it has grown to divide us, we can take back our control and build a better future for us all.
I know most people will not even give a second thought to this but if I can help or reach just one person then I have done my job in writing this. Please be kind to each other and build each other up. I have seen what positive reinforcement can do not only in your life but in the lives of others. Let us spread love and light faster than others can spread hate and disrespect.
This print by Alyssa Meade really speaks to me when writing this. The tears and the blank eyes. No one should ever have to feel that way, yet we make so many feel like this when we judge and belittle them. What gives you or anyone else the right to tear others down? Just know I will always be a safe person to be yourself around. I will be your biggest cheerleader when you need it as well.
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