@be kind

I know I look at the words through simple eyes

I consider this a gift with which I’ve been blessed

I’ve grown to think that simple eyes lead to simple solutions

and simple solutions are often the best….

Every year tens of thousands of elephants are killed

this to many is a moral outrage…an insult…an affront…

which is why Ellen Degeneres created a campaign to fight this atrocity…

and calls it @Be Kind To Elephants

A noble cause…a wonderful cause…with elephants we should learn to coexist…

But did you know elephants aren’t even ranked in the top 10 on the endangered species list?

Shouldn’t we also be kind to the gorilla and the rhinoceros, to show them that we care…

to the tiger…the panda, the sea turtle …as well as the polar bear?

Shouldn’t we coexist with every animal in every ocean, jungle and plain?

Perhaps @Be Kind to Elephants is to narrow…

Perhaps we need a @Be Kind To All The Animals campaign…

But we’re also cutting down our rain forests…

The way we’re endangering our plants and our environment is totally insane!

Perhaps we need to expand our scope again…

how about…A @Be Kind To Animals, Plants And The Earth campaign?

Wait, when you stop to think about the amount of refugees in the world,

the amount of abject poverty…

the amount of wars and hate and narrow-mindedness…

the amount of prejudice and bigotry…

We certainly can’t leave out the people of our world …So here I ascertain

@Be Kind To People, Plants, Animals And The Earth…should be our daily campaign…

Perhaps the perfect way to coexist…so that all are intertwined…

would be to broaden the scope by shortening the name…how about just…@Be Kind!

If everyone thought ‘Be Kind’ to every animal, every plant and everyone they see

this could be the type of world we all would like it to be…. 

It’s a simple way to look at things, I know…

But think how the whole world would be blessed…

If ‘Be Kind’ was our first thought before we acted….

Wouldn’t this simple solution be the best?

THE STAR THAT FELL TO EARTH

He heard tales of the sage’s ancient wisdom…and, possessed with discontent,

he climbed to the top of the mountain…in search of enlightenment.

“I come in search of happiness”, he said, “for myths and fables have deluded me.”

“You see I’ve been searching all my life…yet true happiness has eluded me.”

They sat in silence until nightfall…until he could wait no more

“Please,” he asked the wise one…”what are we waiting for?”

The sage pointed up at a shooting star saying, “If you want to find your mirth

seek and return to me with that star…that star that fell to Earth.”

He smiled as he handed the man a journal…”And if I may suggest

while you’re searching for that star…keep a record of your quest.”

As he descend the mountain he made his first entry into his journal:

‘and he calls himself a muse!’

But then thinking why he came to the mountain he wrote, ‘what have I to lose?’

So off he went to find the star…he traveled day and night

And whenever he stopped to rest a while…in his journal he would write…

He wrote of the beauty of the land he saw, of all the animals he’d greet.

He wrote of winter snows and summer rains and how the flowers smelled so sweet.

He wrote of rainbows, sunsets, singing birds, of how the trees in the wind would sway

He wrote of the kindness of the different people he’d meet along the way.

He wrote of adventures he had in every town…in every city…in every place…

and as we wrote of his experiences a smile would cross his face.

He fell in love with a woman in one town…where they created a family they both adored

and though he continued to write in his journal every day…

he forgot what he was searching for…

Years later after his children were grown he said to his wife…”We have to go

back to the mountain and the wise one I left so many years ago.”

“I promised him I’d return one day…just as he commanded.

I hope he won’t be disappointed when I return to him empty handed.”

The wise man smiled as he remembered him and said…

“It appears you have traveled far…

you have finally returned as you said you would…

and I see you brought the star.”

The man seem puzzled for a moment…

then thinking of his years of travel and love and parenthood

clutched his journal and his wife’s hand…then smiled…

for at last he understood. 

KINDNESS IS BEAUTIFUL

The year was 1906…it was yesteryear in paradise

when a sad young girl came to her dad…and he gave her some advice.

She didn’t think herself a beauty…as far as beauties go

and the other girls in school back then were quick to tell her so.

Her father asked what was bothering her…noticing remnants of the tears she shed…

(How is it parents can read sadness even in our silence…

when not a word is said?)

She told him…and he sat her down as the wind in the treetops twirled…

“Let me tell you,” he told her then, “how to become the most beautiful woman in the world.”

This little girl whose self esteem was low…perked up both her ears….

How to become beautiful…why that’s just what she wanted to hear.

“All you have to do is be kind,” he said, “kindness is not only beautiful…but right.

Never say a hurtful word to anyone…always be helpful and polite.”

“Treat others as you would like to be treated…there’s beauty in that too

And you will find that kindness…and its beauty…will be returned to you.”

Is there beauty in kindness? Of course there is…for that’s what kindness does…

and from that day forward everyone remarked…how beautiful she was.

And as she grew up and grew older…until the day her life was finished….

Her kindness was unmistakable…and her beauty never diminished.

Be kind an you’ll be beautiful…It is still such wonderful advice

As good today as the day it was given…yesteryear in paradise.

FAVORITES

I wrote this poem a few years ago…put together all the rhymes….

With a few updates I’m bringing it back…because it’s a favorite poem of mine.

She has a host of favorites in her life...so many favorites from which to choose

Favorite colors, favorite foods, favorite houses...favorite shoes.

Favorite authors, favorite actors, favorite places...things to cook

Favorite music, favorite movies, favorite animals...favorite books.

I used to kid her because, God love her, she has this quirky knack

of changing favorites so often…I’m often losing track.

But the more I’ve watched her over the years finding favorites all along

The more I think that she is right and it’s me who has been wrong.

As she observes the world around us through wide and innocent eyes.

I have teased her revolving door of favorites but now I see…it’s she who’s wise

For I’m reminded as we travel the road of life, as we somehow muddle through it

It’s not only important what we see, but how we choose to view it.

How wonderful it is for her...how extraordinarily rare

to go through life, to look around…and find favorites everywhere.

Imagine the anticipation...the excitement you would feel along the way

If you know in the morning when you wake up…this could be your favorite day.

Imagine if you were open to it...if you were so inclined

all the miracles you’d discover...all the favorites you might find.

If you can find favorites in the moment...in what that moment has comprised

then you are continually amazed at life…and constantly surprised.

You’d fall asleep at night contented, happy, thankful....and then

You’d wake up in the morning and start all over again.

So the next time she picks a favorite...I have no reason to tease or doubt her

Because having so many favorites…

is one of my favorite things about her.

AN ARTIST'S HANDS

We have an artist friend who paints murals on buildings, walls and doors

We love the subjects of his paintings…and his colors we adore.

We were talking to him as he painted his latest mural…

a painting with palm trees, clouds and sands…

when I realized I wasn’t listening to the conversation…I was staring at his hands.

I thought how his painting is so beautiful…and his brushstrokes so refined

but the hands he holds his brushes in…look similar to mine.

I thought if you placed his hands and my hands side by side…there are no definite signs

whose hands were the hands of the artist …and whose can’t color within the lines.

Our hands have the same amount of fingers and are relatively the same size…

Perhaps the magic of an artist isn’t in their hands…but in their eyes.

But I’m able to see beauty…in the air…the sea…the land

yet the beauty I see and hear and feel doesn’t transfer to my hands.

I know he’s been to art school I know he’s worked hard at his art…

but still…a casual observer couldn’t tell our hands apart?

Even if I attended the best art schools…I would not be making art…

Perhaps the magic is not in their hands or eyes…perhaps it’s in their heart.

But my heart understands beauty…it is stirred and it’s aware

that there is beauty all around us… that you can find it everywhere.

By the time that beauty reaches my hands, however,

it becomes hazier…duller…fainter

What then is the difference between an artist and a painter?

I believe we’re all born with certain gifts…a spark…a light…a flame

and, by the nature of creation, not all gifts are the same.

I was looking for an outward sign…something to help me understand…

But what if the gift is inconspicuous and lies buried in the artist’s hands?

Perhaps some of the gifts we’re born with are concealed

Perhaps that’s why you can’t tell our hands apart…

Because some gifts are never meant to be seen…

they’re meant to be experienced…

their meant to stir the heart….

That’s why our hands look similar…

when on them my eyes drift

Because I’m able to see the similarities…

but unable to see the gift.

That’s why I cannot paint like an artist on a scale both beautiful and grand…

and why I’m happy there are people out there 

who are blessed with artists hands.

ENOUGH

She was alone on a bench in the middle of the park when walking along I spied her

I’m not sure what drew me in…but I ended up sitting beside her.

For a while we sat in silence…me…and this old woman I’d never seen before

until my eyes met hers and we exchanged a smile…which seemed to open up the door.

We talked of trees and butterflies about how the sun shone off the creek

and before I knew it…I was meeting her…on that park bench once a week.

She could be sweet, she could be kind, she could be soft, she could be gruff 

and as we spent those days together…she taught me the meaning of enough.

When I think of the love I’ve had in life, she’d say…one touch was enough.

When I am sad…to drive away the shadows…one sunbeam is enough…

When I look up in the night sky…the light of one star is enough.

When I linger in a garden…the aroma of one flower is enough.

When I’m walking in a forest…the shade of one tree is enough.

When I’m with my family and friends…one moment is enough.

I only have one life, she’d smile…if I live it right…once will be enough. 

and If I should die tomorrow…well…then I’ve lived long enough. 

Yes, when I look at all the happiness I’ve had…I know I’ve had enough

and If the only prayer I ever say is thank you…then I have prayed enough.

My meetings with her would come to an end 

enough was finally enough

and though I was saddened at her passing…

I know I had time enough…

Time enough to make a friend…a friend both kind and gruff…

Time enough to have been lucky enough…to learn the meaning of enough.

Now when my life is peaceful and happy…or when times are sad and rough

I return to the bench where we sat together…

to remember I have enough.

THAKSGIVING

Generations come together on Thanksgiving…from across this great country

The Greatest, The Silent, The Baby Boomers, The Millennials, the X, the Y, the Z.

Each generation has its moniker but on Thanksgiving it seems to me

When all the generations come together…their only moniker is family!

When families come together…sometimes it’s spontaneous…other times it’s planned

because, realizing our time together is precious, we grab it whenever we can.

We take the time on Thanksgiving…so at least one time a year

We can eat and laugh…tell stories…and remember those no longer here.

We remember when our children were young…we laugh and smile and tease…

We remember funny things they did…we remember funny words and puffy knees.

We watch the older generations sit down, they share and mingle and mix

While the newest generations runs around, playing games…performing magic tricks.

As the food is being spread out…recipes are shared

Hugs and kisses flow like water and recipes are shared.

We see pictures of soldiers no longer with us…long forgotten scenes

We rememberer when our dad was here and when Mom was just nineteen.

Thanksgiving is a reminder to cherish all our moments together

knowing they won’t last very long…

A reminder of what holds a family together…

Of what makes a family strong.

That’s what makes the holidays so special

That’s why family members amass 

Because the only way to bridge the future

is by linking to the past. 

Yes family is one of nature’s masterpieces…

a cause for joy and celebration

For family is eternal….

the never-ending generation.

COUNT MY LUCKY STARS

Where does luck originate in this unpredictable life of ours?

The ancients believed our destiny was influenced and even determined by the stars.

Perhaps they theorized with only a few planets…merely one moon and just one sun

their Gods created all those stars…making each…a lucky one.

So no matter how their day had gone…no matter the accolades or scars

They could walk into the twilight…and count their lucky stars.

If I should need help this Thanksgiving remembering what or who I’m thankful for

I’ll take a moment in the darkness…I’ll step out my front door…

I’ll look into the vast expanse of space above me…

where stars are bright and planets soar…

and remember all the things down here…

that I am thankful for.

My health, my friends, a sunrise…

that day we walked hand in hand dow the aisle…

our children and our grandchildren…the ability to smile…

So many things to be thankful for…so many reasons why…

As many things to be thankful for…as there are stars up in the sky.

And I as I count my lucky stars…

as I watch my thankful thoughts ascend….

I’ll know the things I’m thankful for…

like the stars…will never end.

Perhaps the ancients had it right…

perhaps our destiny is influenced by the stars…

Perhaps that’s why they were created…

to remind us how lucky we are.

UNLIKELY PLACES

When you begin to think there’s no hope for humanity…

when sadness is filling peoples faces…

Don’t fret: sometimes compassion, kindness and love…

can be found in the most unlikely of places.

An airport is teeming with people of every shape and size…

But filled with love, compassion and kindness??? 

If you look you might be pleasantly surprised.

You see couples and friends…and families…as aircrafts each minute are awaited

but generally most of the people in an airport are totally unrelated.

Sure the couples, friends and families take center stage and certainly can’t be missed

as they smile at one another, as they hold hands, hug and kiss…

They stand in excited anticipation…as their love and affection rise…

and you can see how much they must have missed each other…

for it is written in their eyes..

But there is also a wonder to behold…as tickets are purchased…and bags are checked…

That can be found all over the airport…from people you might not expect….

Meander through its terminal and as you move aimlessly about

you notice people smiling at one another…and strangers helping other strangers out.

One lady struggles with her suitcases…and as they twist and turn and drag

A man steps out of the line he’s been waiting in…to assist her with her bags.

He returns to the end of the line…

and you hear not one moan…not one protest…not one grunt

As all the people step aside…and move him to the front

A family traveling with three children…each one under the age of 5

The parents sing to them, give them food and toys…just trying to survive…

When an older couple sits down next to them…for a moment the parents feel blessed

as this couple plays happily with their children…allowing the parents a moment to rest.

A woman at the restaurant cash register…can’t find her money and before they take her food away… 

Another woman pays her bill…saying “Enjoy your food…and have a nice day!”

What is this phenomenon?…why it’s a love and a kindness so profound

that wherever you look in a airport…you’ll discover they’re around.

I’m not sure why this happens but if I may venture a quick guess

perhaps watching so much happiness in others…rubs off onto the rest.

An airport reminds us there is a universal language…

a language with the ability to enthrall

That language…why it’s love, actually,….and it’s a language understood by all.

It doesn’t matter ones color, ones religion, ones sex…

or wether or not they know each other’s names..

love…when spoken with ones actions…

treats everyone…the same

There is a another phenomenon about love and kindness…

once you notice that it’s there…

you begin to discover it more often…

you begin to see it…everywhere.

   

And you smile knowing there is hope for humanity…

When you see happiness filling peoples faces…

when you realize compassion, kindness and love…

can be found in the most unlikely of places.