Who Are You Trying To Help?

Out for my morning walk, I pondered the sources trying to categorize and divide us; and I then noted the variety all around me — different colors, shapes, sizes, perspectives, lifestyles, experiences... More importantly, I saw the similarities, the shared traits, wants, needs and goals. We are far more alike than different. We have so much common ground. So I came home and wrote a poem.

Each is different. Each is the same. Each has inherent value.

When uncertain
I ask myself
Who
Are you trying to help?
Are your actions
Today
Carrying away
The burden
Of Somebody else?
Are your words
Just said
Moving ahead
Kindness, opportunity
Health?
Every day
In so many ways
I can connect
Respect
Effect 
This great big
Beautiful
Diverse and Wonderful
World
For the better

As so many voices seek to divide, it’s essential to unite. We are all connected. We are all effected by one another. And each one of us has the power to support, encourage, uplift, elevate and accentuate the things we have in common. If we focus on this at a personal level, then grow it into our neighborhoods, communities, municipalities and so on, we can regain the ground lost in recent tumultuous times.