Where has all the tolerance gone?

With all the hooplah going on in our country right now, and reading how people are treating one another around the United States, a thought came into my mind.  What has happened to tolerance?  It feels like people are becoming more and more self-absorbed with the "what's in it for me" attitude that they are caring much less about the repurcutions of their actions.  Why is that?  What kind of tramatic event will take place to make people realize that there is someone right next to them with problems too?  Don't forget that we are all human.  We all make mistakes.  We should all be able to talk to a person and not judge them for their opinions.  Why would we have a mind of our own if we were to all think the same?  

Lots of questions, I know.  Just something to think about, I guess.  

Please, be mindful of others. 

Coincidence? I think NOT!

Yesterday, someone told a story that reminded me of my brother. Maybe it is because I haven't seen him in a while, but I took a little walk down memory lane because of it. I think we are all fortunate to have the people we do in our lives. It is definitely not a coincidence.

The smile of a one year old

Hey.  I haven't been on this in a long while, so I am going to try and be better from here on out.  

This weekend was crazy fun.  I earned 40 dollars by helping fix up a home to be put on the market to be sold soon.  The family I was helping had a beautiful 3 year old son who has down syndrome.  He was one of the sweetest kids I've ever met!  It reminded me of highschool when I had the opportunity to help kids with an assortment of disabilities three times a week.  People who have disabilities, whether they are physical or mental, are some of the most amazing people I have ever met.  They have this great love of life and want to share that love and curiosity for things with everyone!  

Later that same day, I saw a friend from my freshman year of college raking leaves out in front of an apartment complex she manages with her 13-month old son Jaq.  At one point, he took my hand and was trying to show me something that fell off a tree.  He looked up at me and smiled wide that he could show me this new-found discovery.  It melted my heart. 

Why is it that kids are so entertaining?  I think one huge reason is the fact that they love new things.  How come we begin to lose that as we all grow older?