Passing along

What are we passing along? 

We all inherit characteristics from our parents and grandparents, and pass them along to our own children. Blue eyes, brown hair, a particular shape of nose, even the way we walk may be passed along. But what about other things? Do we pass on a kind manner, gentleness, love for animals? And how do we pass them on? 

These latter things are passed on by modelling them, and they are more unusual in that we can pass them on to people not related to us. When we love others, when we are kind to them, when we answer anger with gentleness we can cause change. Let's pass on these things and hope that they are paid forward, because the world needs more love, kindness, and gentleness.