Differences

It's late right now, and I should be going to bed, but I have this idea in my head and if I don't write it down, it's going to bug me. And since I need my sleep, I'd better hop to it.

I am a strong believer in the idea that we are all different. We all come equipped with our own set of ideas, unique perspectives and talents and gifts that are all our own. Sometimes these are similar to others, but many times they are not, especially the combinations within ourselves. And I think this is a wonderful thing, something to be celebrated even because it's what makes us who and what we are. It sets us up to learn from one another and to expand our horizons just by being around someone so different from us.

What I don't understand is why it's sometimes so hard for people to accept these essential parts of us. Why do some people feel the need to change us or to prove that we are missing out on something because we haven't had the same experiences that they have? This is not to say that I believe we should close ourselves off from new ideas or different perspectives; I just mean that I think it's unfair when people can't appreciate our innate characteristics or treat us like we're not as world wise as they are because our background is so vastly different.

Wouldn't it be better to be just a little bit more accepting of these differences, or if we can't, to not be condescending about them? Can't we all try a little harder to see things through someone else's perspective in order to understand why they do or say the things they do? And for goodness sake, even if you think someone's level of understanding and/or experience about something is below your own, can't you just accept this and learn to love them more for it? Ugh!

Okay, I promise that I'm done ranting now. My whole point is to express the desire that people, including myself, should be accepting/understanding and not try to force someone to act or think a certain way because they think it's what's best. They can introduce that person to new ideas and hope it will be beneficial for them, but that's really as far as it goes. We were given the ability to think and reason and also to choose. It's up to us how we use those abilities. Stepping off my soapbox now. . .