Promote love...

I once had a friend named Tomas.  He was from the islands...  can't remember which right now.  He used to laugh at me because I would get lost, watching his skin under the light of the sun...  it brought out these gorgeous indigos and purples, he was that dark.  I would get lost in the musical sound of his voice, never mind what he was saying.  That's how people should be in my mind. How I miss him!

Now, I'm not a perfect person, far from it.  But I like to think that I'm getting better as the years go by.

Maybe I'm wrong here, but I don't see race, color, creed, sexual preference, any of that.  My heritage is mostly Scots, but I doubt any true Scotsman would see me as such.  I'm proud of that bit in me, nonetheless. Would I use it to set myself apart from anyone?  Hell, no.  That would be stupid.  I'd rather laugh at myself with a hearty Scotsman alongside, laughing with me.

So, what is it that I see?  I see a rainbow of humanity.  I see dark and light, sallow and bright...  Day glow!  LOL  I see a beautiful variety of philosophies and beliefs bringing light to a new day.  I see so many symbols of benevolence that it's mind blowing.

Yet there are those today who would dictate that we should focus on the differences between us.  It's causing rage to spread worse than any plague.  I don't see an end to it and that's scarier than anything I've ever experienced.

In that light, I want to follow another tactic.  I want to speak of the things that I love in people...

I love your honor.  
I love how you respect me and the others around you. 
I love that you hate lies as much as I do.  
I love discussing philosophy with you, seeing the twists and turns of your mind, your passion as you speak.  
I love the sound of your laughter as it rolls from the pit of your gut. 
I love the way that your hand rests gently on my shoulder just to let me know you're here. 
I love seeing the things you've seen as you tell the stories of your travels. 
I love the twinkle in your eye as you turn to me, sharing a private joke.  
I love those perfect moments in time that we sometimes enjoy.  
I love that when I hurt, emotionally or physically, you don't make a scene, instead doing those little things that make the hours, days, weeks easier.
I love that you love the furred, feathered and scaled kindred, the land, ourhome.
I love that you can follow me down into the Darkness that is a part of me, unafraid.  
I love your Bent and Twisted mind.  
I love that you understand, although I may be aging and my body has betrayed me, my mind is sharp and my heart is the best I can make it.  
I love that you expect nothing more of me than I can give.  
I love that you don't expect me to share your views, yet you can respect mine.  
I love that you know I have lines in the sand that cannot be crossed and you're okay with that.  
I love that my pacifism and other beliefs are just fine in your world.  
I love that there are things about me that you take pride in.

That said...  I don't care what color skin you're wearing, except to delight in our differences or perhaps dissect those tones according to a color wheel.  I don't care what accent your voice contains, unless I'm jamming to the music of your soul.  I don't care what your religion might be unless you're a fanatic or a threat.  I don't care if you're tall or short, skinny or wide, wealthy or poor, gay or straight.  I don't care what symbols are yours as long as you leave me to mine.

Let us come together instead.  Leave the rage and fighting for the wars that are being waged in other countries, please.  Let us each be the spices and seasonings that complete our family meals. How delightful!