It is common for people to fear what they don’t understand. When you don’t know how to overcome or process fears, fear becomes hate. When you compare all your differences instead of your commonalities visions and truth are skewed, perceptions are half-truths. I denounce organizational practices that use scare tactics to keep people separated and fearful, knowing full well Unity is where the power is. When an organization, religion or race is spurred to be fearful of another it turns into “Us vs. Them.”
I believe the Higher Power gave us free will to make our own decisions. We can choose to use our curiosity to learn about others instead of imagining false reasons to fear someone you do not know. I do not buy into any separation of myself, other humans or living beings on this planet. I do not think any living being is less or more important then myself. I believe in helping and supporting others who are doing the best they can in the everyday struggle of life. I know we all struggle in our own ways.
I believe must not fear or try to make life harder for others because you do not have the same beliefs, religion or culture. I believe when we show compassion to others it is good for both souls. I believe refugees do not leave the country they love to unless they feel they must. Would you? What does it say about me if I choose not to see through the color of skin or religion into the soul inside? Maybe they fear me in the same way? Should they?
Why don’t we open conversations and get to know others who are much different in your perception? I bet if you took the time you would see, most people have very similar wants and needs. I want healthy food to eat, clean water to drink, a safe place to lay my head at night and a good life for myself and family. I want peace. I bet that is what you want too.
I want opportunities of success for my daughter and her children who are not born yet. I want the same for your children and grandchildren too. I imagine a world full of good will, unity and cooperation. Can you imagine how the world would look if we thought of our neighbors and other countries as family? I bet we would not fear others and practice wider acceptance of characteristics we do not share.
You could look at your neighbor with different color skin, or the woman who drums in her garden with compassion and acceptance as if they were your beloved aunt or uncle. You may even think “Oh that’s just Auntie Em, doing her thing, not hurting anybody, she will stop banging that drum soon.” Or you may think “Uncle Joe is preaching to the choir again!” You would not roll your eyes in annoyance because you know his heart is made of gold. We choose to practice compassion and acceptance when we share connection.
Why do we continuously choose not to see we are ALL connected? I believe we can change our thought and beliefs. When you change the way you look at things, what you look at changes. When I look for negative things about others, I find them every time. When I choose to look for the good in others, I find it every single time. I am choosing to believe in my faith of a kind, loving, and compassionate world full of great neighbors and family. To do this I have to start in my own back yard, in my town, in my state. Every day I choose to actively practice acceptance, choose love, and choose faith over fear.
Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister