One form of acceptance was presented in a beautiful and heartwarming story at the end of a six o’clock television news show. It featured the mother of a five year old who was about to enter kindergarten focusing on the differences between other children her daughter would be encountering in school. The mom cited dissimilarities in skin color, ethnic background, language, height, gently asking and stating to her little girl, these are things we don’t make fun of others about. This is the essence of antibullying, and viewed in a more positive way as, acceptance. With the acceptance, of at least, the more obvious, physical difference, part of the path toward peace is taken.
There are other areas where a willingness to regard differences between people is necessary. These center around those regarding beliefs, whether religious, values, political, economic issues or whether they focus on writers, their styles, or their topics. All of these divergent viewpoints can greatly divide individuals. With any of these areas, there is No One , Right Way ,only differences in views. Trying to convince another person your belief is better, or theirs makes no sense, is an exercise in futility, a source of frustration and provides a lose-lose result. Understanding different reasons for their beliefs, continues to produce unemotionally charged dialogue, and encourages a sharing of information, an educational process.-No Drama-No Hostility-No Raised Blood Pressure! instead more relational peace.
We all have a choice,!
DO WE WANT TO FOCUS ON PUSHING AWAY THOSE WHO LOOK OR THINK DIFFERENTLY?
OR
DO WE WANT TO BE OPEN MINDED AND OPEN HEARTED AND TAKE THE MORE PEACEFUL PATH TO RELATIONSHIPS?