We Are the Same and Totally Unique
We are one. We are one mind, and yet we are separate. We are all the same, yet we are all unique. How do we square these ideas with each other? How can I be the same as everyone else, and yet be completely unique? How does a snowflake look like another snowflake, and be completely different from the other? Contemplate that. There are trillions upon trillions of snowflakes falling from the sky every day on this planet. How can each one be different? In the eons of time haven’t two snowflakes been the same? The experts say no.
How is it that humans are all different? How can we look similar in many ways, and be completely different from one another? In some ways we are the same. We have qualities that are similar, and yet we are all different. There will never be another you.
How can being unique give us a sense of being one with each other? How can our uniqueness create a sense of togetherness? Doesn’t being unique create a sense of separation? Wouldn’t we all need to be the same in order to feel like we are one?
When we understand our uniqueness, we will value someone else being unique.
We need community. Without that support we would not exist. Community is not a want. It is a need. Why is it that we condemn other communities that are not like us? Why are we threatened by them? Why is different a bad word?
I lot of this is about ignorance or lack of education. What we don’t understand frightens us. Education is the greatest antidote to fear.
Therefore, when we learn about the family who just moved in next door who looks different than us, can we say hello and find out some things about them? Do we have to make a judgment that usually ends up being completely wrong? Can we walk through our fears and find out that they are wonderful people?
When we are willing to engage with someone who looks different, sounds different, or wears different styles of clothing we will discover that we have many things in common.
Here are some things we all have in common:
1. We all need air to breathe.
2. We all need food.
3. We all need shelter.
4. We all want to feel safe.
5. We all want to feel loved.
These are just some of the things we have in common.
Building upon the foundation of common needs, we can learn to respect each other more. When we can acknowledge that we have needs, we will be able to honor each other.
How is it that humans are all different? How can we look similar in many ways, and be completely different from one another? In some ways we are the same. We have qualities that are similar, and yet we are all different. There will never be another you.
How can being unique give us a sense of being one with each other? How can our uniqueness create a sense of togetherness? Doesn’t being unique create a sense of separation? Wouldn’t we all need to be the same in order to feel like we are one?
When we understand our uniqueness, we will value someone else being unique.
We need community. Without that support we would not exist. Community is not a want. It is a need. Why is it that we condemn other communities that are not like us? Why are we threatened by them? Why is different a bad word?
I lot of this is about ignorance or lack of education. What we don’t understand frightens us. Education is the greatest antidote to fear.
Therefore, when we learn about the family who just moved in next door who looks different than us, can we say hello and find out some things about them? Do we have to make a judgment that usually ends up being completely wrong? Can we walk through our fears and find out that they are wonderful people?
When we are willing to engage with someone who looks different, sounds different, or wears different styles of clothing we will discover that we have many things in common.
Here are some things we all have in common:
1. We all need air to breathe.
2. We all need food.
3. We all need shelter.
4. We all want to feel safe.
5. We all want to feel loved.
These are just some of the things we have in common.
Building upon the foundation of common needs, we can learn to respect each other more. When we can acknowledge that we have needs, we will be able to honor each other.
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