I’ve not only heard this phrase many times in my life but have actually uttered the words myself. As I mature more and gain more life experiences the truth I have discovered is this…change is singular, one person at a time and the domino effect can take place but if that one first person never steps forward we remain stuck and even worse the chaos around us grows. Hate can be changed by a single kind act, followed by another and so on; hunger can be stopped by feeding one person in need followed by another person doing so by your example; our phobias keep us from seeing others as we are…human-beings with needs, wants and desires. Now, with all that being said I am not so naive to believe everyone believes or sees the world so simplistic, our world (yes WORLD) not any specific place or country holds the monopoly on “bad things.” I also don’t have any magic wand to instantly make everything and everyone better, what I can do is pray, I can be a means to an end by being an example of love, acceptance and respect; I can hold my tongue when someone offends me or cuts me off-thinking what if they are just having a bad day or just received some terrible news; I can let a car merge onto the interstate even when I’m rushed, courtesy…none of us know with any accuracy what another individual is going through at any given time. What I am saying is…actions reap reactions. It’s not cool to be rude and one can address such behavior without being rude in return. If someone is rude, the emotional response most get is not how “rude” someone is being, rather it is pain, painful, hurt feelings, feeling less than a person then asking ourselves “what is wrong with me, why don’t people like me” it becomes an infliction we think is deserved, it is internalized and that is total “B#LL$hit” that my not be the most “Christian” word to be used but it is definitely “DUNG!” One lesson in life I have experienced is that when someone is putting me down or me putting them down it has more to do with the person speaking than the one receiving. We, humans as a whole don’t do a very good job at taking responsibility for our own “gunk” a word I often use in describing unpleasant things going on in my life. I also use that word to describe things that were not my fault and the responsibility is not mine to take and find healthy ways to dispose the “gunk” as it is not mine to own. And I am learning that I have some responsibility in how long I let the gunk continue in my life. To be fair, some individuals do exceptional with their emotions and I applaud them and they probably were raised by individuals who nurtured their emotions, not all of us have had this advantage and some of us feel blessed for the adversity and challenges in life because those life lessons would not have been as beneficial if given under any other circumstances. Life is a series of experiences, we find things we like and some we don’t…which is nether right or wrong; good or bad. There’s so many choices in the world and we need to find what fits for each of us. For all of us that are believers and trust in God, we are all uniquely created and have a purpose. That in itself is shouting diversity. The word diversity is derived from the word “diverse” meaning (differing from one another) and diversity means (the quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc…). I cannot speak for anyone but myself and my experience of the use of the word “Diverse or Diversity” it is used to separate instead of bringing things or people together. Diversity is not merely a race issue, or a LGBTQ issue (my apologies if I left anyone out of the acronym. I did consult Google. With that being said it is also not a stage for religious beliefs. I’m a Christian, I don’t hate other religions that are different from mine, it’s not my place, it is God’s! Why can’t we just respect one another and agree to disagree. I say that with one clarifying statement, all life is sacred. The church I attend has another church directly across the street, I am do not feel oppressed or angry that some choose to attend that church versus mine, people need community and have different needs to grow spiritually, even more than that people need to feel wanted, appreciated, respected and loved, LOVED above all! I recently read that churches across the nation are showing signs of decline in attendance for a vast array of reasons, they all seem to be valid and right at the time, myself included. There’s just not enough time get all the things done that need to be done every week, job responsibilities, children activities, family responsibilities, the yard work, and the list can go on and on. All these things are just things; eternal life is what’s important, where we are going to spend eternity and I for one, want to be in Heaven. I honestly believe that none of my accomplishments here in earth will mean anything compared to being in the very presence of God! I do; however, believe that being good and kind to one another here on earth is a trait that God wants us to excel in and to teach it to all the generations to come. It’s easy to hate; it’s convenient to dismiss; it’s easy to turn away from pain and poverty … It takes work, dedication, bravery, stamina and selflessness to rise above and change things one person at a time, one day at a time, one simple act of kindness and love at a time. One of my favorite bible verses is Esther 4:14 “…Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created…”. When we encounter people who are different from us or believe differently the two things that will absolutely made a difference is to first pray for them, secondly, love them by example and living the life you say you have and want. Actions! Prayer is the most powerful asset we have here on earth, God wants to hear from us everyday, every hour of each day. God loves us and misses us when we forget to include Him in our lives.
Psalm 139:13-14 “You alone created my inner being. You knitted me together inside my mother. I will give thanks to you because I have been so amazingly and miraculously made. Your works are miraculous, and my soul is fully aware of this.”
Jeremiah 1:4-5 “The LORD gave me this message: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
~Blessings and Peace~
HOPE SEEKER 