Old fashioned ? Believing that there are still things which do stand the test of time may sound that way but it's really only a matter of prioritizing and recognizing that which is truly of value. In this materialistic world in which we now live the criteria  of what 'value' represents is distorted all too often. The simple things we take for granted are all too often ignored and even discarded in the rush of day to day living in this fast paced world where time is a commodity which often seems to be lacking. 

The days when one believed in community and family time now take a back seat to simply keeping one's head above water as bills mount up and both parents must, in most cases, be in the work force just to adequately provide for their families. In the rush to cope with the stress of this modern world kindness toward others has become an anachronism all too often with all of us. And we are now seeing the results of those omissions as our world becomes one very much  the poorer because this is so.

Our children are losing their sense of continuity and family ties, and as a result losing sight of their heritage as extended family time is very low on the list of priorities. They are to all intents and purposes set adrift without an anchor. Is it any wonder they flounder ? They have no guidelines to follow, only a view of a very materialistic world as their criteria  of how things should be. A kinder, more gentle world ?  " Wow, that's really antiquated thinking isn't it" ! 

Taking time to know your neighbours, extend a hand to those less fortunate, contribute, not money, but time to making your community a warmer, more cordial place in which your children will be nurtured and protected as they grow has become something there simply is no time to even consider. And then we wonder why so many children are at risk in today's society. Its called neglect. Yes, I know that sounds unduly harsh given how busy everyone is, but its true. Were those still values we made the time for and embraced I suggest we ask ourselves, how many fewer tragedies involving children would we be reading about almost daily ?

There is more to life than having every modern convenience known to man or owning the fanciest home or automobile. The world won't come to an end if our children don't have the latest in fads or gimmicks of the day. Those material objects won't make them better human beings or help them grow emotionally but Mom and Dad making the time to really come to know their children, and  to enjoy doing things with them as unbreakable ties which will last a lifetime are forged, most assuredly will.

As I write I remember a quote I saved years ago from a ten year old homeless child which seems particularly apropos here: "Oh we have a home ... we just need a house to put it in." That says it all.

 When was the last time you took time to extend a hand of friendship or offered a kindness to another ? When were you  last the recipient of such an act where no reward was expected or sought ? I know time is at a premium for all of us these days but taking time to be kind or thoughtful costs us so little and the rewards are well worth the few minutes time we have "wasted". As they say, a hint of fragrance always clings  to the hand that gives a rose. Kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

In our rush to get where ever we believe we need to be now we forget the most important thing we need ... one another. Do we really want to wait until we are alone to realize how much we miss that which is most important ?  For that is exactly the future we are creating for ourselves. And that is, if there is to be in fact, any future at all.

Kindness is too often dismissed as a luxury only to be indulged in once more urgent matters are addressed. All too often, kindness is the greatest need of all and can frequently aid in resolving the conflicts we face. Political gestures are fleeting, and all too often only lip service without follow up. Simple kindness may well be the key to communication leading to finding a way we  human beings can finally live together in peace, sharing and caring for this planet we all must inhabit together.

If for no other reason than to honour the legacy we inherited, and which we are honour bound to pass on to our children, is it not at least worth a try ? Will we lose anything really by taking the time and at least thinking about what we have become and asking ourselves, is this truly how we want to live ? Is this the future we wish for our children ? There is still time. We can stop this rush to oblivion. It is in our hands.  As long as we are still living and breathing we do have the time to at least make the effort.