Living In Gratitude: Diversity
No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. ~Nelson Mandela
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all accepted ourselves and others exactly as we are?
Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we lived from a place of love and acceptance, grateful for the wondrous diversity the world has to offer?
It’s okay that we are all different, that we have unique opinions and distinct beliefs.
Consider how bland life would be if everything was the same. If there was only one kind of tree, one type of flower, one landscape, one food, one aroma, one song, one book. If all around us, everything looked the same, smelled the same, tasted the same. If everyone sounded the same, dressed the same, thought the same. What makes a rainbow beautiful is its multitude of colors. It wouldn’t be the same if it was just blue or green or red.
And the same goes for humanity.
As Maya Angelou once said, “We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and that we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color. In diversity there is strength and beauty.”
When, in our world, we are confronted with cruelty and hate, it’s challenging and takes strength and courage to focus on love and to take the high road in our actions.
When we notice ourselves sinking into despair, turn off the TV, take a break from social media. Re- gain perspective and renew your spirit. Go for a walk in nature, dance to your favorite song, do something special for someone, practice random acts of kindness, write a couple of thank you notes. Get back in touch with your love and the goodness of our immensely diverse humanity.
Each of our differences, be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, are the individual threads of the vibrant tapestry that makes up our world. Each thread is unique but is an integral part of the whole.
Let us celebrate our commonalities-the fact that we are all human, that we each desire to be loved. We all laugh and cry, search for ways to express our creativity, solve problems and search for answers. And yes, even our differences are something we all have in common.
Instead of hate, let there be love. Rather than being intolerant, let us be accepting. Let compassion and kindness reign over cruelty. Let each of us appreciate the majestic beauty and strength created by our collective diversity.
Bring your loving, best self forward today and always.
