Margaret Mead once said, “Always remember that you are absolutely unique.  Just like everyone else.”

True enough.  In week 3 of the 7 week Spirit Expressing program at First Unity of St. Petersburg, we are reflecting on the core value of inclusion and diversity.  Participants in the home study groups are asked to reflect on questions like these:

Have you ever found yourself to be a minority?  How did it feel?

How do you treat minorities when you are in the majority?

How willing are you to accept yourself just as you are?

The whole notion of inclusion and diversity might be summed up differently be framing it in the context of “acceptance.”  Do you accept people who are different from you?  Do you accept yourself when you don’t live up to some standard or measurement?  And what does acceptance really mean?

The last question, for me, is the easy one.  Acceptance means a willingness to love.  Its one thing to tolerate those who are different from us; its another thing to love them.  Its one thing to tolerate a mistake we made; its another thing to love ourselves even when we are in error.

The history of humankind has not been, well, kind in this arena. Racism, sexism, homophobia, bigotry of all kinds, and the like have become part of the landscape of humanity.  All of these things convey the message, “I don’t and won’t love you.”  That’s sad to me.

It happens as well within local communities and families; and even with the face in the mirror.

Fortunately, the great spiritual teachers have offered a new way of being – a way of love.  The Buddha’s teachings are notable for their emphasis on compassion.  I draw my greatest inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, especially his Sermon on the Mount found in the book of Matthew.  He says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven… Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Matthew 5:43, 48.

You needn’t try to be perfect; he’s saying that you already are – just let it out!  Be willing to love and you transform the consciousness of the world.  Your love will necessarily include everyone, including you and those who appear to be in adversarial relationship with you.

So give it a try.  Step out with a willingness to be the light of understanding in the world, and you’ll be amazed at how beautiful the world truly is.