By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Monday, January 16 was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It was a time to celebrate, remember, and choose to always practice diversity. Some days we are good at spreading our wings and making friends with those different from us, and some days we are not. And the varying reasons we do or don’t are common to all of us.
I believe there are three ways to help us honor and respect those who don’t look, act, think, or worship as we do. God made each of us according to a perfect plan. That means you and me.
- Accept who we are by ignoring race, sex, socioeconomic status, culture, and whatever else separates us. We all have beauty and flaws, victories and heartache, so why not embrace those things in ourselves and others?
- Respect each person’s gift to mankind, those treasures are to be used for the betterment of others. Jealously, greed, and strife happen when we refuse to see the good in others.
- Choose to make friends with people who don’t resemble what we see each morning in the mirror. In doing so, we can learn how that person views life and their surroundings. Unity doesn’t mean we’re the same; it means we are united in purpose.
Remove the fear of the unknown and welcome cultural contrasts. Understand others may feel the same about us! The miracle of our world is none of us are alike, and we have so much to learn from each other. When we surround ourselves with people who have much to offer, we are encouraged to love, appreciate, support, value, and respect those traits which make us all contributing members of this world.
How will you choose to celebrate diversity year around?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
Martin Luther King Jr led the march for racial acceptance. How can you show diversity to your patrons?
Comments 5
I enjoy meeting people from different cultures, and see it as a cause for celebration. God has created diversity in all He created. Everyone I meet, deserves love, respect, and acceptance.
It is behavior and attitude that turn me off, but when I realize that I too, mess up, I realize how much we need each other.
Color, and race only marks in diversity, and even when we differ in other areas such as achievements, food preparation, language, and dress, those should heighten interest in meeting and celebrating others who are different from us.
As God’s people, we can set the sails in making a difference – paving the way in celebrating cultures and differences. We worship God, when we love and respect people – created in His image.
Sometimes I need to be reminded everything that happens isn’t always about me. I might be surprised at who needs a word of encouragement, a hug, some money slipped into his/her hand. If I keep my eyes closed to those who are “different” than I am, I prevent God using me as His hands and feet.
Father, help me to keep my eyes on You. Remind me I am Your child, and as such, I am to comfort, educate, lift in prayer, supply the needs of Your other children regardless of the color of their skin, their accents, where they live. Thank You.
In Yeshua’s name,
Amen
Thanks Jann, It’s never been nor will ever be about us – although we’d like to think so.
I don’t consider acquaintances in my life to be patrons, but over the years, I have made many of them – all colors, all faiths, all walks of life. They have all enriched my life in many ways, because they have all left an imprint on my heart, not all good at times, but I have tried to leave a good imprint on theirs. The Holidays have just passed, and I have baked my annual Christmas Cookies, passing endless dozens around to people who were anxiously awaiting to get their share. One of my newest friends wants to learn some of my recipes, and I am elated to be able to pass them on to someone, since I have no children of my own. There are so many items that I’ve knitted and crocheted for friends and family, so these people who have enriched my life, have received a Thank You, along the way, from my fingers, due to the way they have touched my life along the way. Some have been perfect strangers that I’ve done this work for as well, but that’s another story for another day. Then there are other people, who I don’t know, who are completely misled, beyond reaching, and completely not worth my time!! I’ve learned enough on this Earth, that these people are in a different group, like a group of pack animals, who want nothing but harm. They are looking for nothing but trouble, and I stay far away from them.
Thanks, Peggy, you made valid and interesting comments. If we could see everyone’s hearts instead of how they are different, we’d all make better choices.