Just don’t.

"I hate Trump."

"Hillary's a bitch."

"CATCH the BALL, JACOB!!!!"

"Ass hole, move out of the left lane!"

Life has daily reminders that fresh smelling roses and warm sunshine aren't the only fragrances and feelings, respectively, being transmitted to your soul through the firing synapses in your brain.  Often, instead we're exposed to the above scenarios, along with many, many others which cause us adults to revert back to middle - hell, elementary - school on a daily basis.  

Yes, I have these momentary lapses of reason, to steal Pink Floyd's 1987 [kick-ass] album title.  But overall, I strive to be a good person.  I'm not sure if I'm trying to give my kids something different with regard to parental memories, i.e. not yelling at my son when he makes an error on the diamond; or, if this is just who I am in my core.  After all, I had a nice childhood, relatively.  But I just can't understand the mother who berates her child for missing a pop-fly at 12 years old, or the "gentleman" in a three piece suit arguing politics with his former best friend, who happens to be serving his latte at Starbucks, or the road-raging driver who needs to get to the next red light faster than I. I'm no philanthropist, or spiritual guru, but rather I try to live like a well-loaded ship: no list to port or starboard, just a nice level keel.

My value system doesn't come from one place in particular.  Instead, it comes from life experience.  I'm not an overly religious person.  I have a very hard time rationalizing a belief in the afterlife and dedicating my current life and money to any particular church, temple, mosque, whatever, when I'm a "science-y" person.  You want to tell me that wars are fought over whose invisible man in the sky is better? Um, no. Not to say that I think there's not a possibility that something may be waiting for this version of me once my body gives out and I die.  I just don't know. What I do know is that preaching hatred of others because your way is the right way doesn't make sense. 

Politics.  Don't get me started. I refuse to partake in debates over which asshole is the bigger asshole.  It's not worth it.  I've personally seen my relatives stop speaking to each other because one shitty candidate beat the other shitty candidate. You want to make a change?  Get active in your community.  Dedicate something other than your opinion based on only words.  

It takes practice and patience, but I think that Ellen has it right when, at the end of every show, she reminds you, "be kind to one another."  My version may be a tad harsher: don't be a dick.  Seriously.  Just don't. 

That's what life has taught me, so far.