Why do some people feel so comfortable with those who share the same qualities but evade being with people who are different in some way? Although it is so nice to share what we feel is the same about ourselves and others, it is also important to accept and enjoy what is different.
In the example of race, many feel uncomfortable when with others of a different color but many also feel it’s important not to even notice the differences in skin color or cultural differences. They think we should all be considered the same, regardless of our differences. Some would even like to see the disintegration of nations and nationalities and feel this would solve all the world problems.
In some ways we are the same. We are all human beings with the same basic characteristics that make us humans, However, we are each one born into a specific culture, in a nation or state and we identify ourselves in this culture and feel deeply bonded to the people of our race-family. We have cultural activities, religions, foods, holidays and basic lifestyle as well as language and physical characteristics that we share from childhood to old age.
Think of how boring the world would be if we were all the same…if there was only one nation and culture for everyone. Celebrating our differences should be a positive and interesting way for all of us to get along and be friends. Isn’t this why there is such a big tourist industry? People want to experience what is unique in different countries and meet people who have a whole different culture in which they express their lives.
What beautiful skin colors and features everyone has! Why would we not want to notice those differences? How dull it would be if we were all a diluted color of a mixture of all the races just so we could be the same and ‘supposedly’ get along better. Some of the national cultures have the most beautiful colors of design and architecture unique only to their part of the world. Why would we want to see them disappear and take on a neutral same-ness.
Just thinking of too much of this sameness makes me imagine everyone marching in gray suits to Nazi orders. If we lose the appreciation of our own individuality and will, we soon become just bots in an uncaring, empty system where creativity and celebration has vanished. It’s time to let go of the past and all the debilitating histories of wars, hate, confusion and competition. The citizens of each country want peace …a home and good food and for their families to be safe. They want to express their lives in a positive way and make the world a better place for alll of us.
We can’t make everyone the same to get along. We shouldn’t even try such a foolish idea. When we can ’see’ someone through the eyes of celebration of who they are in all aspects of their individuality, we will be able to appreciate each and every difference and not ‘compare’ these differences with our idea of what these differences mean in some way. This is where separateness comes in and causes fears and prejudices.
We don’t know anything when we’re born into this world. Right away we begin being programmed, first into our family system, then into the societies in which we live. Until we are old enough to begin questioning things we’ve been told, we follow the path of how we were raised, whatever nation, race and culture we are born into. what if we taught our children to appreciate and enjoy the differences in others? What if we refused to harbor ill will toward others and wanted our children to follow that premise also.
Some of the differences in people are of a lifestyle nature and some are in relation to different values. We learn how to react to these differences through watching and absorbing how our parents, family members and school friends responded to them. We learned to either appreciate or scorn someone different in some way. As we grew up, we formed opinions and belief systems that accepted some of our parents attitudes and opinions and some we rejected. The important thing to remember about this learning and reacting process is that, as with all things in this world, it is subject to change. We can change an attitude or opinion we don’t want. This is part of our free will and individuality. As we get older and wiser, we understand that we can look at things differently from our familiar patterns and implement change through our thoughts and responding experiences.
Instead of quickly judging and initiating blame to someone of questionable values, we should try to see a fuller picture of why they do things that are at odds with the acceptance of society. If they harm others, steal or cheat and lie, it is a serious problem to them and others in relation to them. Knowing they will have to face the unpleasant results of their crime, it is better to send them compassion rather than judgment and negative thoughts. A sense of compassion toward them does not add our negative energy to their overload of troubles. We can’t approve their actions but we can try to understand the entrapment in patterns that make them do what they do.
When we quit evaluating others through the eyes of our upbringing or how others view them, we can form our own system of values and expressions of how to ‘see’ them from our own heart. Then we can respond in a new way that we have set up for ourselves. When we follow our heart, we see the possibilities in someone in trouble when maybe no one else can. We see the value and beauty in each and every person, regardless of how different they are because we are all children of God and God wants us to love and celebrate each other as unique and perfect in every way.
We may struggle with our desire to judge, compare and name-tag for awhile but with patience, we will succeed and be able too view the world differently, with eyes of understanding or compassion when needed as well as celebration of all the amazing and beautiful differences in human beings.
