What we focus on grows. So, the question we need to ask ourselves:

"What am I focusing on?

Love or Hate?

Kindness or Harshness?

Peace or Strife?

Community or Disintegration?

Compassion or Vengeance?"

Being kind in a culture that isn't, is something each individual must strive to do.

There are some pretty hot topics in the news lately and as with any issue, there are opposing views.

However, we can choose to be kind even if we disagree. We can choose to look within ourselves and find the kindness that lies within each of us, and choose to display it in a smile, kind word, or hand shake.

We need to be kind toward others that hold a different viewpoint than our own.

As President Barack Obama stated when he spoke on the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality: “I know that Americans of good-will continue to hold a wide range of views on this issue. Oppositions in some cases have been based on sincere and deeply held beliefs. All of us who welcome today’s news should be mindful of that fact. Recognize different viewpoints, revere our deep commitment to religious freedom.”

As individuals we need to learn how to be an agent of kindness and love.

If we do not learn to live more in harmony and less in strife with each other, there will be more boys and girls from the up and coming generation that feels like this one 13 year old girl, “What is America coming to? Why can’t I legally change my name and move to Canada where everything is peaceful?”

I believe real, lasting change is possible and that shifts of minds and hearts still happen in this day and age. However, that all can only take place through kindness and understanding.

Everyone has worth. Even the people that disagree with us. Picking and choosing who we feel have worth, makes us no better than the people we disagree with. We need to be very mindful and careful to not disregard other people just because they view any given topic differently than us. Disregarding any viewpoint could hinder change in places that we might truly need to be enlightened.

We as ordinary people can do extraordinary things. We need to remember that within each of us lies limitless and extraordinary possibilities.

Through kindness, love, peace, community, and compassion, we have the capability to build bridges that fill the gaps between liberals and conservatives, blacks and whites, and all other issues which keep rearing their ugly head in our country.

So, may each of us show respect and understand that just because someone disagrees with us does not mean they hate us or wish us any harm.

Let’s lay down our arms, all our best defenses, and remember that at the end of the day, it’s about how we loved our neighbor, fellow American and everyone we encounter.

Here’s to focusing on love, kindness, peace, community, and compassion.