Sometimes we are suspicious of others, and have aversions to them. This can be because we are unfamiliar or uninformed.

We are a global community. We are inextricably bound together. There really is no “us and them”, there is only “us”.

We internalize this as we allow ourselves more fully to be immersed in the communities of others - especially when we stay long enough to become familiar and then comfortable with their traditions, their dreams, their histories and stories, and their humour.

The whole world can be with us electronically now. As we earnestly seek out broader exposures to the rich diversity of our cultures, our hearts become more open. We see that our similarities with other groups greatly outweigh our differences.

Sometimes it's hard to acknowledge the influence and long term impact of our words and actions.

Alienation is taught. Kindness is also taught. Alienation hurts everyone, sometimes far into the future. Acts of kindness help and heal both the giver and the receiver far into the future.