Be Kind

If someone shows me arrogance, I respond by being kind

If they interpret that as me being stupid, then they are just blind

-ed by their own arrogance, which makes them think that they know so much

When in reality, they have simply lost learning’s beautiful touch

It’s ok to be self-confident, but you don’t really need that much

If anyone knows anything, they know the most powerful tool is the mind

If they aren’t conscious that they shut it, they are obviously in a bind

Because arrogance is easily accrued and arrogant people aren’t hard to find

So if you think you know everything, you should realize you’re probably lying

To yourself and no one else, except those who also stopped trying

To understand those around them and put themselves in others shoes

Because three people in one situation all have three different views

And what are we but a collection of experiences; no one has the same as you

And you have the same as no one else, so you have to realize that as true

So why judge someone because they didn’t have the same chances you had

They may have grown up in low, middle, or upper class

They may have struggled with their identity, skin color, or race

They may have had an abusive parent, or had to move from place to place

They may have never had to share because their parents were so wealthy

Or maybe they had no parents at all or were constantly sick and unhealthy

Maybe they were molested as a child and threatened to never tell

Maybe everyday they look in the mirror they don’t see a reflection of themselves

Maybe they see the dreams that died because the chances they didn’t have

Maybe they see the family empire they didn’t inherit from dad

Maybe they see the disappointment on their parents’ faces when they fail at a sport

Maybe they see the scars on their bodies that remind them of traumatizing wars

Have you ever had to try to find a daily job with pay below minimum wage?
Were you ever forced into the military despite your pacifistic ways?

Have you ever been hated because of your beliefs even though they call to peace?

Have you ever thought of suicide because you thought it was the only release?

No one could possibly experience everything another person has

That’s why when I look at other people I see nothing but a glass

Half empty, half full, that’s not up to me to decide

I can’t choose how someone else leads his or her life

So I focus on me, myself, and I

Not that I’m better than anyone, and not that I even try

To be, I just view other people as a reflection of me

Not everything I’ve experienced may be something to which they can speak

But I know the best way to make friends is to focus on commonalities

So let’s get back to the basics, we’re all humans in fact

No matter Christian, Tall, Liberal, black

Appearances don’t matter at all, because they say nothing about who we are

Which is why only a fool would say they know someone from afar

They might not even know a person but might speak bigotry about their name

Because their skin color is different, or their religion makes them pray

Differently than they themselves might, but they’re not seeing it the right way

It’s just another human, struggling to do his best day to day

He doesn’t like to be hurt, be depressed, or feel ashamed

Just as you wouldn’t, so why would you not wish for him the same

As you would wish for yourself, because that’s what he may wish for you

The golden rule bridges all religions, cultures, and is the best of jewels

So treat someone, as you would have someone treat you

And expect no more from them in return

Even if they don’t see things your way

You don’t have to be the gasoline to provoke the everlasting burn

So just put on a smile and try and be nice

Because life is short, and there’s no chance to live it twice

You’re not better than me, nor am I better than you

We’ve just been down different paths and are used to different views

So despite all the scenery we’re used to, we’re on common ground now

And if we can’t agree on anything, then let us be kind

If we can’t be kind in words then let us stop and rewind

To the communication that serves as a vehicle for mankind

Transcendent and understood by all, the smile, the gold mine

Be kind