TEACHING VALUES

We teach a child to be generous and give,
And tell him that is the only way to live.
But for a child it's not his natural way,
Extending his arms to give things away.

Made to feel guilty if he doesn't share,
A child may not understand or care.
Labeled "greedly" if he doesn't give,
Resentment and anger builds as he lives.

It doesn't take long the damage is done,
He quickly learns that giving is not fun.
A conflict forms about this giving law,
When he's told not giving is a character flaw.

He sees adults, who don't appreciate,
And use giving as a ploy to bait.
He learns that giving is a way to manipulate,
Not as a quality one should emulate.

Many other values are taught to this youth,
But by now he is skeptical of its truth.
Because those who taught him don't live life that way.
When asked, "why", they reply, "don't do as I do, do as I say".

Just one more reason why the world is in such a state,
Most loved ones only talk, don't model or demonstrate.
A child learns best, when we live what we teach,
Not even children like to hear hypocrites who preach.

EVERYDAY'S A GREAT DAY

"Good morning, how are you?" "Fine, thank you.
And how are you this morning? "I'm fine too."
These questions and answers are social courtesy,
Not what's really in our hearts, just a pleasantry.

Nothing more than mutual exchange of greetings everyday,
It's what has become expected for each of us to say.
But since we're going to say it to people that we meet,
Why not start to believe it and make life sweet?

I hear of people getting up on the wrong side of the bed,
This appears impossible, it may just be in their head
Because my bed has four sides and all of them are right,
It simply serves to carry me through a peaceful night.

When I get up in the morning put my feet on the floor,
I anxiously await the opportunities outside the door.
I quickly scan the area, seek out the first person I see,
Walk up, look 'um in the eye for the reflection of me.

I greet each with a warm smile coming from my heart,
What a fantastic way for each new day to start.
For we are one big family, all sisters and brothers,
And everyday's a great day, some just different from others.

ALLOWANCE

Friendship is a matter of allowance
Allowance is a factor in friendship.
Understanding is a matter of allowance
Allowance in an element in understanding.
Willingness in a matter of allowance
Allowance is an ingredient in willingness.
Patience is a matter of allowance
Allowance is a part of being patient.
Truth is a matter of fact.
Fact is not always the truth.

TO FEEL GREAT

To feel great, understand even if misunderstood.
To feel great, feel things deeper than you would.
To feel great, say things softer than you would.
To feel great, do things slower than you would.
To feel great, smile broader than you would.
To feel great, touch gentler than you would.
To feel great, think clearer than you would.
To feel great, listen closer than you would.
To feel great, share more than you would.
To feel great, see farther than you would.
To feel great, I dare that you would.
To feel great, create all that you would.
To feel great, you could if you only would.