Children don’t see difference
Between them and another
They don’t see color
They don’t see fashion
They don’t see appearance
They don’t see religion
They don’t see politics
What they see
Is what we show them
By what we point out
What we comment on
What we move toward
What we move away from
Children only feel
What is felt by those
Who surround them
They feel love
They feel hate
They feel acceptance
They feel rejection
They feel understanding
They feel judgment
They feel what we feel
They mirror what we do
They repeat what we say
How they see difference
Depends on you and me
Their parents
Their caregivers
Their guides
How they show up in life
How they treat others
How they view themselves
Their bodies
Their self worth
Their abilities
Depends on us
Not the media
Not the cover of a magazine
Not a tv show
Not the neighbors
Not their teachers
How they feel about life
Depends upon how we
Feel about life
What we teach
Through our words
Our actions
Our inactions
Our reactions
How they navigate
Moving into the world
Making friends
Growing up
Going for a new possibility
Reflects how we navigate
The very same things
It all begins with us
We have a profound
Responsibility
To look at ourselves
At what we are doing
What we are saying
Who we are blaming
What we are defending
We have an intense calling
To clear our old pains
Resolve our own conflicts
Get clear about what we value
Live those values ruthlessly
Show up every day
The best that we can
While looking at our excuses
Acknowledging our unhealthy habits
Understanding why they are here
While having compassion
For that child within
Who never received
What we still long to have
What we long to feel
What we long to give
And find a way
To give it back to ourselves
In spades
Children don’t see difference
They are born into the arms of love
Connection and acceptance
The very relationship
Meant to teach them how to be
If what you most desire
Is to raise a happy
Resilient
Kind
Caring
Confident
Self-reliant
Child
Be that
Do your own work
Notice what you say
The effect it has on others
Say you are sorry
Offer a helping hand
Ask for support
Figure out what is important
To YOU
Not your neighbors
Not your family
Not your friends
What is important to you
Be that
So that your children
Don’t have to grow up
Seeing difference
Feeling the pain that it creates
Confused by the disconnect
They feel inside
Seeking guidance
Answers
Help
From other sources
Because they have learned
They can’t trust you
Or the mixed messages
You continually offer
Living in desperation
To understand
Why
There is a discrepancy
Between what they know is the truth
That you are amazing
Incredible
Filled with love and worthiness
But your actions and words
At times
Tell a different story
Get rid of your confusion
So that together
We can recognize
There is no difference
Between any of us
Other than the beauty
That our individual
Skin tones
Fashion styles
Religious beliefs
Political viewpoints
Relationship choices
Life stories
Have to offer
Children don’t see difference
Between them and another
And when we take the time
To look into their eyes
See what they see
Feel what they feel
Give what they give
We too
May get back to the truth
That the pathway to true happiness
Resides in the heart
Of connection
Not in the separation
Found in our so-called
Difference
