Living in Ugly

We talked of intolerance, while we were intolerant ourselves. We missed the reality and the beauty of the forest because we were diverted by the ugliness of some its trees. We never gave the spiritual side of life a fair hearing. ~ Alcoholics Anonymous, Kindle Locations 775-776

I can't see beauty when I hate,
feel love when jealousy rages,
appreciate when I denigrate.
Until I choose to explore,
not just justify, rationalize,
debate...
Until I choose to explore,
to open myself to possibles,
to set aside prejudice,
to abandon favorite platitudes
then I'll live in ugly,
surrounded by hateful.