Overwhelmed*

 My thoughts have been buzzing around my head, invading my normal day to day. I feel without a voice. I have a voracious appetite for knowledge, but it seems the more I know the less I understand. I want to know and accept others, but the more I discover, the more I realize that though I want to understand and be tolerant, others do not. I am a person isn't that enough? I read articles about people against gays or religious freedom or political affiliation, as if these things are the only things that matter. What about love,family,integrity,peace...what about these...do they mean nothing?  Do we not all strive for joy, freedom and prosperity? My soul hungers for these things, not only for myself, but for my children, and all the people in the world willing to strive for these ideals. Is it to much to ask that we all notice that we are all in this together, that are lives are interconnected, that we affect each other, emotionally, spiritually, physically...that when one of us shows respect and love that it ripples out and touches us all..even in small ways? I feel heavy from my thoughts and I feel if I could just yell loud enough...maybe I could shake the world awake...maybe then we would all see.