Patience is Kindness

When we think of what it means to be a responsible person, it is often difficult to fully articulate all that we are responsible for. Understandably, most of us will immediately think of our financial responsibilities or that which allows us to maintain our lives and our family's. We must also consider our emotions in relation to our actions. So many of us fail at being responsible by losing our patience.

Patience is arguably one of the most fragile and least exercised virtues that human beings are capable of exhibiting. As the standard of convenience increases and the human population expands, our collective patience with each other and the world we live in steadily dwindles with every passing year.

One of the leading purposes of Grateful Brand's existence is to encourage the spread of kindness but this encouragement does not stem from a delusional expectation that everyone should drop what they are doing and spread kindness. Reality paints a very different picture.

Patience is a form of kindness. By exercising patience you are letting everyone around you know that there are margins cushioning the projected expectation of perfection, for no one is or can be perfect. 

The following quotes speak of patience and provide insight into ways of thinking that may have previously eluded you.

"Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"Patience with others is Love, Patience with self is Hope, Patience with God is Faith."
- Adel Bestavros

"Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it's cowardice."
- George Jackson

Hatred vs. Kindness: Some Profound Questions of Faith

Love, compassion and kindness will always win out over hatred. While I do not subscribe to any particular faith, today I am grateful for Rose City Park United Methodist Church for being bold enough to honestly stand for the greater good of humanity, not just their Christian community.

Kindness is kindness, whether you are Atheist or Christian. Hatred is hatred, whether you are Atheist or Christian.

This world is full of self serving individuals who pander hate, intolerance and bigotry as direct messengers from the God in which they believe and serve, but they are wrong. God is not a man in the sky manipulating us as pawns to do his bidding. God is love, compassion and kindness.

God is a Christian, Jew, Muslim etc. who opens his place of worship, his home and his heart to his neighbor without prejudice or judgement. God is an Atheist who is kind, compassionate and loving. An Atheist need not believe in anything to be the best representation of what a divine presence on earth would be, for these qualities are divine in the sense that they are the best of what human beings can be.

Consider this if you will. The predominant faiths of the world promise a better life in heaven if you live your life on Earth as a devout believer. Heaven is a reward that motivates the lives and behaviors of billions of people. If I do 'X', I will get 'Y'.  A kind, compassionate and loving Atheist expects nothing when all is said and done. There is no equation. There is no reward. 

Who is more God-like? What if there were no carrot on a stick dangling just out of reach? Would you still pull the cart?

Time on Task: A Lesson from My Ra Ra (Grandmother)

Don't ask me how the name came to be. All I know is that since I was able to make noise, I have referred to my grandmother as, Ra Ra. My name for her may be unique among the Grandmas, Grannies and Nannas of the world, but a nickname matters little in contrast to what she is and what she means to me.

Most importantly, my Ra Ra is love. She has been there for me in ways that no one else has. While not the same as either of my parents, I would equate her vested interest in me to theirs without hesitation. But she is also a woman of tremendous poise, grace, intelligence, faith, compassion and confidence beyond measure. She is a huge inspiration whom I admire and respect very much.

I am writing about her today because, yesterday, I walked into my new office for the first time since accepting my new employers offer. I met my coworkers, received paper work, a new computer, typical first day welcome materials, gifts and well wishes, but as I sat down at my desk and took in what my professional future will be for possibly many years to come, I could not help saying to myself the phrase, "time on task."

"Time on task" can be interpreted simply as 'focus' or a less commanding variation of "pay attention," but this phrase and the story behind it mean a lot more to me.

When I was young, perhaps as early as four years old, I would spend extended visits with my grandparents at their home in southern Virginia. It is with my Ra Ra that I gained a passion for reading; for learning in ways that no teacher I have ever been formally educated by has ever been able to replicate. Instead of demanding my attention or forcing a lesson upon me, "time on task" became a repetitive tool of mental manipulation that has stuck with me ever since. I remember her saying this phrase in improvised songs, simple rhymes and even while cleaning, being just audible enough for me to hear, "time on task, time on task, time on task." I did not understand at the time why she was being so redundant, but when in my final semester in college, taking 27 credit hours so that I could be eligible for graduation, I realized what she had instilled in me.

Now, as an adult, the importance of effective time management is vital to my continued success, yet the best lesson I have ever received on maintaining my personal productivity remains that simple phrase, "time on task."

I love this woman. Not just for what she has taught me but for who she is and has been in my life.

Be grateful for your grandparents. If you are so fortunate to still have your grandparents around, give them your time and your consideration. You may learn something, perhaps even discover something about yourself and your family's history. Who knows? I do know that if nothing else, you can share in love, from one generation to another.

I am Afraid of Saying "God"

Grateful Brand was created to encourage universal love, kindness and gratitude, not to endorse nor promote any religion. With that being said, as the creator of this blog, I am deeply inspired by my own personal spirituality and many love promoting figures of various faiths.

As the title of this post may incite, how can one be afraid of saying "God," especially one who claims to be rather in tune with many qualities that God supposedly embodies?

For centuries, men of self proclaimed devout faith have interpreted and enforced the abiding of precise criteria that, according to their interpretations, must be met to be loved in the eyes of God and to receive the affection of their communities.

While I do not approve of how the concept of sin is used to strangle good people into submission, as human beings, sin abounds, yet the degree of consequence for most of these sins is, in reality, quite benign. You need only repent your sin to receive love. Many faiths assert that their followers are loved unconditionally in spite of their sins. But what is one to do when an innate otherness forces them outside the parameters of the criteria of good men and women?

This is my predicament. As a gay man, I have struggled with faith for years. I have even gone through an extended period of not believing simply because atheism or being agnostic made sense. More importantly, not believing made it easy to simultaneously expel the variable of emotion that so often goes hand in hand with faith.

As I have matured, the scope of my beliefs and wants have evolved, which has resulted in me seeking out a belief system and medium for expressing what I feel. Gratitude has become the basis of this belief system and I attend a nondenominational church to express this gratitude to the Universe.

I have become comfortable with saying "the Universe" because the usage of "God" has been manipulated, skewed and bastardized to an alarming degree. Some of the most vehement proponents of Christianity seemingly hold the usage of "God" hostage, exploiting what should be synonymous with love for the purpose of hate. The Westboro Baptist Church and their website, www.godhatesfags.com, is an extreme example. But they are not the catalyst for my struggle with faith.

Friends, family and colleagues, in casual conversation, have all said that the presumed choice of being gay is wrong and a sin in the eyes of God, yet some of the same people have asserted that God created the Universe and everything in it in his image ... and God makes no misstates. So where does this leave me?

In America, I am free to live my life, though there are people who petition and vote for the limitation of my liberties in contrast to heterosexuals. Unfortunately, the world at large is much crueler. There are people whom I will never meet but would justify my death by saying, "it is God's will." This puts things into perspective. I am a good person who avoids uncomfortable conversation about faith for fear of rejection. Imagine being a good person but being subjected to the death penalty for falling in love.

I say, "the Universe," because no one will object to my open sexuality in association, and therefore I feel safe. My belief system is neutral and thus, I am comfortable. Conversations regarding my belief in the infinite power and possibility enveloped in the Universe never result in me defending myself nor being shamed or demeaned.

This neutrality also allows me to affirm and celebrate who I am. In 1855, the excentric poet, Walt Whitman, penned his most famous work, Song of Myself, in his book, Leaves of Grass. The first stanza of this poem reads, "I celebrate myself." I literally wear this quote as you will notice.

Being able to affirm ones sense of self worth and feeling balanced in mind, body and spirit is a wonderful sensation. But in spite of my affirmation, I am gripped by a lingering fear that pauses my confidence when wanting to live fully and boldly as a good person who wants to believe in God. Because of this fear, I have relegated myself to the Universe. Some might argue that they are one in the same but in my psyche, I have become accustomed to an alternative as a result of mankind stripping away my equality; denouncing my otherness as a flaw.

Recently, I was moved by the compassionate words of a brilliant man who was bold enough to voice the confidence I wish I had regarding his conviction. With ease and eloquence, Jordan Bach--writer, blogger, advocate, uncle and all around good guy--championed via Youtube that, "God loves gays." From a personal standpoint, I have wanted to believe and embrace this without ever having a second thought, but it has been so painfully difficult to ignore the hate that many faithful people cling to and use as weapons. Jordan wears an amazing shield. That shield is love.

I first saw Jordan's video on the Huffington Post and I was moved to tears because I knew that even though he and I may never meet and I may never have the opportunity to shake his hand and thank him for his poise and strength directly, I knew that he stood with me in solidarity, and for that I am exceedingly grateful.

You Reap What You Sow: What We Can Learn From Andrew Breitbart

The philosophical law of only being able to keep what you give away has been circulating through socially conscious cultures for centuries, if not millenniums.  The belief serves to maintain a natural order, balance and harmony. It is thought that the more you give away, an equal or greater reward will be bestowed upon you in return, but let us not be so motivated by material reward as we strive to maintain balance and harmony as we pursue success.

Kindness can be a far more valuable currency than any precious metal or printed note. It can sway the coldest heart and soften the most callus fist. If you are unkind, inconsiderate, impatient, or intolerant, you will reap a harvest of the same and perhaps, ultimately, a fate far worse.

This morning news broke of Andrew Breitbart, the famous conservative activist, passing away from natural causes. While I personally disagree with many of his beliefs and stances on a variety of issues, I still respect anyone who stands for what they believe in. Cowardice is a far greater threat to maintaining a harmonious society.

For all his passion, I cannot help but wonder if Andrew had it coming. Forget his political affiliation or his beliefs for a moment. Those are off the table for this argument. I am viewing him as just a man.

If you peruse any of Andrews writings or have ever heard him speak, he seemed unwaveringly angry with that which he opposed.

Friends and associates attest to his confrontational nature. His attorney referred to him as a "happy warrior." Former Texas Governor and Presidential candidate, Rick Perry, tweeted, "RIP 'O Mighty Warrior!" News personality, Tucker Carlson, remembered him by saying, "he thrived on the brawling." Jonah Goldberg, founding editor of the National Review Online, said that "One of his favorite pastimes was to retweet all of the hate that people threw at him, because he considered it a badge of honor. It was his Wheaties."

Wearing hate as a badge of honor? A warrior of politics? Perhaps, to some, he lived and died honorably, but there is a part of me that feels this man did not have to die at the young age of 43.

Being angry, spewing hate and defamation and wishing for the demise of those you oppose because of their political leanings or social stances will reap a dismal harvest. I imagine the degree of stress his body was under must have been tremendous. The sheer tension of being so highly strung, ready to confront and dismantle his sworn political enemies when ever presented the opportunity alone, must have left him physically battered. A heart, meant for love and compassion, can only take so much.

Andrew Breitbart should still be here, but the stresses and evils of politics have taken him from his family and from this earth. Perhaps he died in the thralls of what he loved most, but that does not change that fact that today, he is dead.

You reap what you sow. Nature will ultimately prevent a negative seed from taking root and spreading. In the game of politics, anger and hate are not necessary tools for executing a point nor championing a cause. They are shameful byproducts of the weaknesses of men.

Regardless of your political affiliation or social beliefs, do not be so consumed by disagreement that life and love come second.

Andrew was a man, first and foremost, with immeasurable potential and influence. Now he is gone.

May he truly rest in peace. 

Special thanks to Dylan Stableford of YAHOO! News and The Cutline: Andrew Breitbart Dead: Outspoken Conservative was 43

Say it With Me, "I Am The Light"

Light is used as a common metaphor for a myriad of positive things: good energy, ideas, divinity, a heavenly space or presence, love, enlightenment, clarity, etc. Interestingly, "the light" is usually something we must go to or search for and discover. This is easy to understand because from a very literal stand point, light--being the kind of light that we use to brighten our homes--does not come from within us, but from finding and flipping a switch on a wall or a lamp.

When considering all of the metaphorical possibilities of light, do we necessarily need to discover it as derived from some other entity or source?

In hundreds, if not thousands of films, there are those classic, "I see the light" moments when a character finally realizes something important as apart of the plot of the story. These "I see the light" moments happen regularly in reality as well. Of course, inspiration or transfer of knowledge from one person to the other or even a profound religious or spiritual experience can cause an inner light switch to be flipped on, but have you ever considered the possibility that you yourself are the light?

Well, now is the time to begin to not just consider the possibility, but to believe it and affirm it.

You are the light!

In our search for reason, answers, solutions and understanding it is easy to externalize the source of all these things because, for one, this is what many of us are taught and conditioned to do, but also because with internalizing comes a sense of responsibility and accountability that many people avoid.

Internalizing the source of metaphorical light may also require bolstering faith in yourself; a heightened sense of belief and confidence. Once you affirm this inner strength you need only look in the mirror. Instead of seeing the light as something separate that you must acquire, you will realize that you are indeed the light and have been the light even when you failed to realize it in the past.

You will no longer have to live your life in a cloud of thought synonymous to a vast dark room full of mislabeled switches. You will be the answer. You will be the reason, the solution, and you will be able to come to a degree of understanding and resolve unlike anything you've ever experienced before. You will be able to stand in the face of everything because you are the light and will cast your light on a path of success and happiness.

Affirm this today! You will be grateful you did.

If You've Ever Loved a Pet, You'll Understand

Meet Quarterback (QB) & Sadie -

If you've ever loved a pet, you'll understand why I am including my two beasts in this series on love. When thinking about people, things or experiences that I love or have loved, I have to include them.

I adopted both three months apart from a shelter I volunteered at from time to time when I was in college. It took some time to become comfortable with one another and I even went through a phase of adoptive remorse, but over the past few years they have become my two favorite things about coming home.

When I adopted Sadie, she had been at the shelter for a year and was slated for transfer to another shelter, which implied potential euthanasia.

QB was brought into the shelter by a woman who took him from some kids who had soaked him in lighter fluid. Before she could rinse him off he escaped, still soaked and very flammable. Three days later he showed up on her doorstep with what seemed to be neurological damage from the chemicals. I volunteered to foster him and confirmed adoption two weeks later.

 

 

  

  

 

 

Laugh if you must, say I have too much time on my hands or that they're why I'm single, etc. I can't help laughing at myself daily when I realize that there are more than a few stereotypes of cat ownership that I can admit to, especially how they have evolved from being pets to figurative children.

Simply, I love them and, in their own way, I believe they love me. If nothing else, we cohabit well.

Whatever species of animal piques your fancy or pulls at your heartstrings, I'd advise against letting them consume your life, but make sure they know you love them.

They'll be grateful for you and you'll be grateful for them.

'Tis Better to have Loved

I hold it true, whate'er befall;

I feel it, when I sorrow most;

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all. 

- Alfred Tennyson

If not Tennyson's most famous quote, these four lines from In Memoriam: 27 are certainly among his most revered. The truth captured in this stanza is obvious yet, for some, not easy to personally admit.

When relationships end, it is instinctual to begin patching the wounds of heartache. Some people feel a sense of failure, others may feel betrayed or slighted. Some couples may amicably recognize the necessity of parting ways but regret the circumstances that lead to their decision. Others may feel completely victimized while some simply grow apart. Lets not forget the commitment, "Till death do us part." There are indeed some couples who still hold true to their vows. 

Whatever the cause of your breakup may be, consider this quote from Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice: "Why, tis an office of discovery, love." 

Although I am taking the line out of its contextual usage, the interpretation of love being a perpetual state or condition of discovery, or continued experience of learning is very useful to having a very important realization.

Pain may be hard to ignore, but pain should not overshadow one of your greatest achievements. 

You loved. 

Think about what love does to people. Your rationale, composure, judgement and focus can all be eroded due to loving someone, yet you mentally and physically commit to them, forming one of the most beautiful unions that two people can have. 

This union may not last forever and, in fact, it may end terribly, but never lose sight of the fact that you loved.

To be able to say that you have loved is undoubtedly something to be grateful for. There are people in the world who go their entire lives without having shared their love with another; have never discovered what they are emotionally capable of achieving. 

The anguish associated with a love that has been lost is unavoidable, but take pride in having loved. Know what you are capable of and be open to the possibility of sharing love again. 

Your Love or Their Love

Valentines Day has the power to turn generally positive, up-beat people into wallows of negativity. It happens without fail. These people are typically single or newly single and begin to succumb to the negativity rally as soon as the first Valentines Day advertisements appear on television, are heard over the radio or upon seeing displays in stores.

Society has a way of encouraging the "keeping up with the Joneses" mentality which enforces the idea of being less than if you have less than your neighbor. The same applies to love and relationships. Many singles feel inferior or will allow themselves to become negative or even hateful and envious of those close to them or even strangers within their general periphery who seem to have the perfect love. Valentines Day is but an amplifier for these sentiments.

A fact that many singles fail to realize is that love shared between two people is a unique connection that can not be replicated. People can surely fall in love numerous times over the course of their lives but none of those connections is identical to another. 

To be covetous of another's love is foolish because it is impossible to have the connection that someone else has with their significant other. Once we acknowledge this, we must then deal with our feelings of loneliness and wanting our own unique connection. We must also be honest with ourselves and differentiate between love and lust, how both influence our emotional impulses and determine which is more important to us in the moment versus long term.

In spite of the billion dollar industry of love advice and consultation, I believe there is no better catalyst for attracting love than being positive. Exuding kindness, warmth, sincerity, being grateful ... all of these characteristics will be noticed and sought after in a sea of negativity. Unfortunately, we live in an age and time when gratification--in a general sense--is virtually instant, can be paid for and is typically only a few clicks of a mouse away thus conditioning us to approach love with the same sense of convenience.

Patience is one of the key components to making love last. Logically, if you are incapable of being patient nor happy in your search for love, one could not expect you to be patient with them while supposedly being in love.

So, to all my fellow singles out there, as you go forward, don't succumb to negativity when you are reminded that you do not have a significant other. Find joy in the fact that there are still people around you and in the world who believe in the pursuit of love. Be honest with yourself. If love is what you truly want, believe that there is a unique connection waiting for you, but be willing to be patient.

Be Love

Romance is wafting through the air.  Today is indeed the day when star crossed lovers make a concerted effort to celebrate their feelings for one another.

Seeing people feel new, special, utterly distracted with giddiness is beautiful.

I wish everyone the happiest of Valentines Days but I have a proposition for couples, singles, in betweens and otherwise.

Lets not approach this day from the perspective of needing to be in love to celebrate, but rather, let us all acknowledge this day as love. We all can be manifestations of love, caring about one another to a degree unseen before. Can you imagine the evolution of energy throughout the world? It would certainly make Valentines Day quite special for all.

There is a  movement steadily gaining momentum called Generosity Day. It is taking Valentines Day and making it more inclusive. The mission is to encourage everyone to give more; of themselves, their time, and their resources. Be helpful. Or simply cook a meal for a neighbor who you know is not as enthusiastic about the day, marketed specifically for lovers. Do something special for someone, whether you know them or not and encourage them to continue the trend.

We all can share in this day, making it special for everyone! Join me in being love.

This is a picture of two dear friends, in love, whom also are wonderful examples of what it means to be love as they both give of themselves. For example, they were kind enough to let me use this picture for Grateful Brand.

 

This song by Talib Kweli makes me smile. It's very fitting for this special day. I hope it inspires warm feelings or encourages you to scour through your playlists in search of great love songs.

 

Love: The Inspiration

Valentines Day is tomorrow but Love is the theme of the week on Grateful Brand. Why dedicate an entire week to this grand feeling ... this flagrant emotion?

Because love is the greatest thing that humans have ever produced. Love is bigger and more important than all of us. Yet, love is simple.

Artist, poet and writer, Kahlil Gibran, once wrote, "Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses naught nor would it be possessed; for love is sufficient unto love."

His beautiful summation of what many societies stretch into complex thought and protocol reminds us of what love is and how it functions in its sincerest form.  

Whether you are acknowledging love with someone special or you are unattached, everyone can appreciate love's cultural influence over the human race. Some of the greatest literature and poetry have been written about love, some of the greatest songs ever sung have been sung about love and performances of endless variety have taken the stage inspired by love. Throughout history, men and women of incredible influence and power have utterly fumbled in the wake of falling in love. Every so often you hear of couples, together for most of their adult lives, dying within hours of one another, not wanting to be separated for a moment longer than necessary.   

Take note, love does not revolve solely around romance. There is the platonic love shared between dear friends, familial love, and what the Greeks referred to as 'agape love' meaning unconditional love.

For some, love that has been lost or perhaps never fully manifested, evolves into leaving salt on wounds. But step back and consider all that has been and has yet to be inspired by love. I, myself, am unattached and have been for what feels like a long time, but seeing people in love display affection for one another makes me smile. I do not envy nor covet what they have between the two of them because love for me may one day be different. It may not emulate or reflect what I witness in others. I simply admire what they are sharing with one another at that point in time and take away inspiration from their humanity.

Let love into your life in what ever form it happens to occur. Exude love in return. You and the world will be grateful you did.

May "The Force" Be With You

This is NASA's latest image of the Blue Marble, better known as Earth. Considering how many thousands of miles away the telescope that took this beautiful image must have been in relation to its incredible detail, I find it easy to lose five to ten minutes at a time staring. Just think of how small and insignificant we are to the size and life span of our planet. Our existence will be but a blink when all is said and done. Consider how small Earth is in relation to our solar system, the Universe, and what ever may be beyond that. It's all so fascinating yet mind boggling at the same time.

Consider now the invisible forces that make it all possible: gravity, magnetism, perhaps even other forces we have yet to discover. 

I'm no physicist or astronomer, but I do think it's incredible that the Universe and its contents are pushed and pulled, spun, expanded and contracted all due to forces that we cannot see, but that we know exist.

Think, now, of love, compassion, kindness and gratitude. Is it too far fetched to think of these as "forces," pushing and pulling, spinning, expanding and contracting the human race and how we treat one another? Like magnetism, for every positive there must also be a negative such as hate or intolerance.

Call me a nerd if you must, but I like the idea of wielding a special power, the fantasy of "The Force." The difference between me and Yoda though, is that I don't need a light saber or a laser gun and I have no intention of fighting any epic battles.

All I have is love, compassion, kindness and gratitude: my arsenal for combating all the negativity that wants to rain down on me and those I care about. You'd be amazed at how powerful you can feel when you're able to stand unwaveringly firm in the face of negativity if you believe in the power you have within you to defeat it. 

Think of Gandhi for instance. Surely he would find this hypothesis of force very appealing, if he hadn't already thought of it himself.

A Letter For You: January

To my readers, my community, friends, family, the world and our Universe -

I honestly don't have the words to express how grateful I am for the inspiration you have given me. Looking back over the course of this month and especially back to Well Wishes For a New Year, there were times when I felt the goal of producing a daily blog post was too much. January has proven those thoughts very wrong as I have been inspired again and again, at exactly the right times and have repeatedly found myself in exactly the right places. It is very humbling to feel that Grateful Brand is steadily earning a sense of belonging and the opportunity to evolve while inspiring more and more people along the way.  

To continue this evolution I want to share more of you. My stories, experiences and thought processes are limited upon considering that there's a world beyond my home, Los Angeles. So, I am asking you to share your thoughts with me. Share your stories. Tell me what's happening in your state or in your country that you are grateful for. Whether you're a poet, a photographer, film maker or song writer; it does not matter. If you are grateful for something, please share your perspective. I certainly look forward to your contributions enriching Grateful Brand.

This experience thus far has been one of the most fulfilling of my entire life and as we head into February, I hope the wealth of inspiration continues to flood my senses and GratefulBrand@gmail.com.

Here's to another happy and healthy month of kindness and gratitude.

Much love,

Dane

Grateful Brand
gratefulbrand@gmail.com

What's a Family Supposed to Look Like?

A few weeks ago, I was walking through the tourists on Hollywood Blvd when something rather unusual happened.

A mother and father gave their young daughter a dollar and instructed her to give the dollar to a homeless woman leaning against a wall roughly five feet away from where they were standing. The little girl hesitated shyly as children do when interacting with strangers, but the parents encouraged her forward and praised her for doing such a good thing. I thought to myself, "Great job, Mom and Dad! Way to teach good character at a young age!"

Since then I have encountered various opinions of what a family is supposed to look like.

Personally, I believe that no one has the right to tell anyone else that the composition of their family is incorrect as long as everyone is healthy and loved. Your beliefs may tell you that your way and your way only is the correct way, but the love of a parent is universal.

I've heard that obese people should not be allowed to be parents, that single mothers were not adequate, that single fathers were incapable, that having two moms or two dads was morally wrong and a criminal disservice to any child, that adopting out of your race was foolish, that being raised by your grandparents or a grandparent was deficient, that having an excessive number of children was irresponsible and that practicing polygamists should be rounded up and jailed.

Love, above anything else, makes a family. As long as a child is happy, healthy and being taught principles of respect, honesty, fairness, responsibility, compassion, gratitude, friendship, peace, maturity and even faith, it should not matter who the teacher is, what they look like or who their partner is or if they are single.

Throughout American history, politics and religion have served to protect a standard of what a family is supposed to look like but this is changing and will continue to change.

I am grateful for anyone that has it in their heart to provide a loving home. Be it to your biological children or to those you've adopted.