Same Same... But Different

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” ~ Audre Lorde 

Sydney, Australia

Our differences are recognisable by the way we dress, our mannerisms, our lifestyle choices, our beliefs, our behaviour; with no two people the same, what a diverse and interesting world we live in.  But no matter how different we may appear on the surface, at the heart of all of us is a similarity that will always connect us.  We are human.  And what is it to be human?  At the core we are all driven by a need for love and a search for happiness and meaning in our lives.  The way we go about this is what creates the divide... but why does there have to be a divide at all?  

I recently read an article on the struggles of being a mother and the writer was defending the judgements placed on parents by non-parents.  After the article there was an extremely lengthy argument of posts between parents and non-parents.   All they were doing was justifying their position and what they’re going through.  All I could hear from each of them is “understand me”.  Why do we feel the need to justify our choices?  Why do people who have made different choices to us or people who are different automatically become the opposition?  Now that racial and sexual orientation discrimination is no longer tolerated or socially acceptable, are we just finding other ways of disapproving of each other?  

Expression of opinion can be healthy, but if we debate out of ego it can develop into anger or rage.  Where do we draw the line?  Religious vs non-religious, single vs married, parents vs non-parents, drinkers vs non-drinkers, men vs women, introverted vs extroverted... If I consider myself an optimist and I condemn pessimists, well then that's rather pessimistic of me isn't it?  We complain about injustice and war in the world, yet we are creating mini wars with each other every day.  Why can’t we just respect each other’s choices and accept each other the way we are?  

Whether I hear an excerpt from the Torah, the Bible or a book about our place in the Universe, whether I hear a Priest, Monk, Rabi, Yogi or Scientist speak… I hear the same voice.  A voice that says we all have good in us and we must grow and work to remain connected to this part of ourselves each day.  Anyone acting from anger and hatred is merely misguided, and before we start pointing the finger at other people, we must realise that we have all been guilty of this at some point.  None of us are an exception to this rule.  We are human.  And the human condition is beautifully flawed creating a desire to learn and grow to be better.   The more we work on accepting ourselves and others, the more our enemies become our friends, our struggles become our successes, our anger becomes compassion and intolerance becomes acceptance and appreciation for our differences.  

If you would like to support this cause you can recommend this page below or donate at this link: http://www.everydayhero.com.au/sarah_walton_6