i used to be a prolific blogger, but i can't seem to figure out what to write about. it's not for lack of topics...we're in the midst of domestic upheaval, international uncertainty and there are a host of moral and ethical issues that have gone from a simmer to boiling over. perhaps its a matter of where to begin...what topic is the one that should be on the tip of my tongue...my fingertips...
what i keep stumbling over, however, is the fact that all of the ills of the world seem to center around a single idea: i'm better than you.
i'm better than you because i'm christian and you're muslim or hindu or buddhist or some religion other than mine. i'm better than you because i'm heterosexual and you're homo or bisexual. i'm better than you because i'm black and you're white or mexican or asian. i'm better than you because i'm thin and you're fat. i'm better than you because i'm smart and you're dumb and ignorant. i'm better than you because i have a car and you ride the bus.
i could go on forever because we as humans seem to be able to exploit any differences between ourselves as proof that we are superior to one another. the fact is, we all have faults that we were not born with...not skin color, not intelligence, not financial or environmental...faults that we, ourselves, created. things like lack of integrity, lack of motivation, lack of empathy for others. these should be the only factors that determine who is better than another, but not in a sense that one is superior, but because that shows how much progress there is to be made.
we live in a society that promotes the idea that success is something that can be measured by things that are visible...but the things that really matter in life: love, respect, honor...where do you go to see these things? i've found that these things are evident in the quality of relationships that you carry with you through life. in that, i'm truly inferior because i haven't always been loving, honest or honorable...but i'm hoping that i can change that for the better...
what i keep stumbling over, however, is the fact that all of the ills of the world seem to center around a single idea: i'm better than you.
i'm better than you because i'm christian and you're muslim or hindu or buddhist or some religion other than mine. i'm better than you because i'm heterosexual and you're homo or bisexual. i'm better than you because i'm black and you're white or mexican or asian. i'm better than you because i'm thin and you're fat. i'm better than you because i'm smart and you're dumb and ignorant. i'm better than you because i have a car and you ride the bus.
i could go on forever because we as humans seem to be able to exploit any differences between ourselves as proof that we are superior to one another. the fact is, we all have faults that we were not born with...not skin color, not intelligence, not financial or environmental...faults that we, ourselves, created. things like lack of integrity, lack of motivation, lack of empathy for others. these should be the only factors that determine who is better than another, but not in a sense that one is superior, but because that shows how much progress there is to be made.
we live in a society that promotes the idea that success is something that can be measured by things that are visible...but the things that really matter in life: love, respect, honor...where do you go to see these things? i've found that these things are evident in the quality of relationships that you carry with you through life. in that, i'm truly inferior because i haven't always been loving, honest or honorable...but i'm hoping that i can change that for the better...
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