Kindness begins with each of us

There are a lot of unsettling things flying around on Facebook and the internet.  There are a lot of very hateful words spilling out of people's computers and devices.  It saddens me.  Isn't this what our great country was founded for?  Equal rights.  Religious freedom.  And yet here we are trashing others because they have chosen a different lifestyle than we have.  It's wrong.  And makes me sad.

I am a Christian; a Mormon Christian.  The full name of our church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  I believe in kindness, in goodness, in loving one another, in charity.

No matter if we are White, African American, Chinese, Japanese, Mexican, or any other form of beauty, we are a human being; an individual worthy of being treated with kindness.  It doesn't matter if we are Catholic, Methodist, Mormon, Protestant, Christian or any other faith.  We are all human beings with a God given right to worship how we may.

I have chosen to marry a wonderful man and have a family with him.  This is the lifestyle that brings us joy and happiness.  I have friends who are gay and transgendered.  That is not the lifestyle for me and that's okay. I don't have to agree with their lifestyle choice to still love them and appreciate them. I try to always treat others with respect and kindness.  They are all amazing individuals who deserve to be treated as such.

It doesn't matter who we are, what our lifestyle choices are, or how we decide to worship or not...we are all STILL human beings; unique individuals.  We should always try to treat each other with kindness and respect.  We all have our off days.  We all say stupid things.  That's where forgiveness and repentance comes in. If we don't allow ourselves to be offended by others, we will be happier.  We can also forgive quickly...and promptly forget it too....never bringing it up again.

Don't let the slimy putrid goo of hatred stick to you and canker you or your soul.  Find ways to think positively towards others.  Say kind words.  Fill another's bucket with goodness, kindness, and love.  Find ways to serve others.  Bring joy to someone today.  Step away from the negativity and create a positive atmosphere around yourself where others will feel welcomed.  Kindness begins with each of us.