Be Kind or Else. . .

         I'm going to come right out and say some unpopular things. My motto is believe what you want and keep it to yourself. That doesn't mean hide it, it means that your beliefs are yours. Faith is a personal thing and should be respected and left alone, but how you treat others is everyone business. "When any one of ours rights are trampled on, we are all damaged." said Captain Picard, (or rather the writer of those lines). Foisting or demanding people think like you is bad karma. Now I can see you nod your head and think "Yeah, I can get behind that." but here's where it gets tough.

         If someone wants to believe the Earth is flat, Democrats/Republicans are stupid, blacks are lazy, Jews and anyone not of your religious persuasion is going to hell- wearing plaid with pearls is a crime-fine. If you or they insist on pronouncing a contrary belief, don't be surprised when people react negatively-they will.

         You can believe whatever you want as you do as long as it doesn't inflict harm an others and I hate this compromise so much because, let's be real, we all want to be right. Tolerance doesn't mean you agree with someone's idiotic delusions, it means you have to put up with them- like they do with yours.

         The motto of the Ki Society (where I train in martial arts) says "Let us have a universal mind that loves and protects all creation. . . " our senior instructor has pointed out many times you can't just send ki to your family and loved ones, you have to send ki to everyone. Yeah, I'm having a hard time with that one. I can't see sending ki to the likes of Mitch McConnell or Rush Limbaugh. Alas, as much as I dislike these guys, they have the right to be here like everyone else.

          No one ever said enlightenment was easy but recognizing the hard climb we must make, helps us endure the struggle. Like dealing with people who scream "muh rights" when asked to wear a mask, they should be pitied not ridiculed.

         "Hey man, I hear you. I dislike these damn things too but it's all we got for protection and besides, it's just a mask, chill."

         I'm no master at any of this, I consider it an achievement if I get through a day without wanting to punch someone but I remind myself that we are all trying to figure out reality. Be kind, it cost nothing and pays big dividends.