Nobody Enjoys Being Different
June 13th
“Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere” — MLK
I watched a great documentary over the weekend about Paramahansa Yogananda, the man who essentially introduced the world to the practice of Yoga and meditation. Even though he spoke often of God, his teachings of spirituality and yoga were considered controversial in the 20s. In fact, he mentions how he had to hide even in his home in India to meditate, as his parents were strongly against it. Many years later, meditation and yoga is ingrained into the life of millions. Even when met with ridicule and disbelief, Yogananda fulfilled his life’s purpose of spreading a new kind of approach to spirituality.
Who enjoys being different?
Anytime I hear someone give a self righteous speech about what they do not support, or what they do not believe in, how they think people are supposed to be, what they think God does not condone, and even worse, how they believe people should be punished, I always wonder, do you think anyone would choose to live a life of controversy?
It is not easy to be different.
To be a person who goes against the grain of what is acceptable. To question religion. To question tradition. To be a man in love with another man. A woman in love with another woman. To be a musician in a family full of doctors. To be a nomad when the world tells you at a certain age, you must set roots. To be the person struggling in your own skin. To look in the mirror and not recognize yourself. To have no sexual desires at all in a world that is all about sex. To look different. To think different. To function different.
The world doesn’t tolerate different.
History has shown us that repeatedly. The unending cycle of hate only drops and picks its new victims. If it isn’t about race, it’s about skin, it’s about religion, it’s about sex, it’s about sexuality. We learn to be so afraid and mistrusting of the unfamiliar, our instinctive reaction is to bite before we are bitten.
Different is not contagious
Allowing people to be who they are, doesn’t compromise who you are. You do not have to understand something to accept its existence. If you cannot accept it, then mind your business, and do what you believe in. We have to let go of the notion that our opinions or beliefs are more important than another person’s right to freely express themselves. The only reason you are free to be who you are is because who you are is acceptable; either because it always was, or someone fought for it to be.
Nobody enjoys being different
While a lot of people have learned to fight and accept themselves for who they are, there are still many who struggle with depression and anxiety. A lot of people do not want to be who they are. Do not want to walk around with a target on their back. It is so much easier to be the accepted version of whatever issues you struggle with. Every time you put a spotlight on a persons difference, you make them sad, worried and uncomfortable. You are letting them know that your choices are superior. Every time you question someones right to be who they are, you tell them that their life and their choices is a mistake.
So, stop being an asshole
Don’t condone discrimination of any kind, then turn around and feign horror when you see a direct result of your thinking. Try seeing a human being first before you see his or her label. Don’s use hurtful words because they are funny. Don’t think because you haven’t directly been discriminatory, you aren’t a part of the problem. Don’t stay silent when you see something that is fundamentally inhumane. Don’t accept what you think you know as an absolute truth. You don’t have all the answers.
It is our duty to love what is different, because it is easy to love what is familiar.
It is our duty to love what is different, because it is the ultimate act of selflessness.
It is our duty to love what is different because we learn to remove ourselves from the equation and trust that God knows what he is doing.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” — Luke 6:32
Thank you for taking the time out to read this article. If you like what you read, please click the little green heart at the bottom of the screen :)
This is day 13 of my 30 day writing project. Please click on my stories if you would like to check out some of my other entries.
Marriage Advice For Men (You’re Welcome)
13 Lessons I Learned From Paul Coehlo
On Making Friends And Alienating People
To The She-women Feminist Haters Club
No, I am Not Taking My Husband’s Name
Some other stories by me:
Nigerian Senate Fails on Women’s Rights Bill
