When a younger man, I was taught to be gracious,

not everything was about me winning.

I learned how to cry at a very young age,

seemed only the right thing to do.

I used to spend hours striving to be good.

Living a thoughtful life was only a wish.

If I ever made a mistake, I knew it might hurt,

be hard for me to stand up again, make eye contact.

I remember the feeling of embarrassment far outweighing

any chance to know kindness and it’s impact.

Life exists to make others better,

is a lesson I learned as a child.

To me, there is nothing more rewarding than

believing, wishing and imagining goodness.