When I was little I was often asked

Child, are you being kind today

I always said yes even if it was a lie

See I used to think kindness was simple

If I didn’t say anything mean

Then I was the definition of kind

But as I’ve grown older and more mature

I have found that there are layers

There is so much more to being kind

Kindness stems from what is held in the heart

Thoughts can become weapons

And words can break the soul

If my heart carries hatred

I shall constantly hate and feel hated

If my heart carries love

I shall constantly love and feel loved

Would you rather be loved, or hated

When I’m in need of guidance

On how to spread love and acceptance

I turn to the one who embodies both

To learn how to love and not hate

To learn to forgive and forget

And to create a culture of kindness