Warning: for the past week and the coming week, I am in an intensive program aiming to stretch myself. I am going to enjoy the scary but fun way to show up. You’ve already seen the last post Fall Color and a Love Poem, where I wrote my first ever poem in 5 minutes. The poem doesn’t even rhyme but it’s so satisfying knowing I could write one.
Today is the challenge day. I already recorded one video without much thinking and sent it to one of my clients.
This post is the second challenge that I am going to write an article in less than 30 minutes whereas it usually takes me about 3 hours to feel happy about it. The topic is going to be half-baked as well. But here we go! 😅
Title: We Are All Born Equal
I don’t know anything about this photo below. Look at this picture. What do you see?
It’s an old family photo. I know nothing about the photo and people. This is super out of my range to write something I know nothing about.
However, within a minute, I make up so many stories about them.
I see a black family, wearing pretty clothes. I assume they were wealthy. By the age of the photo, my assumption was that it’s rare for black family to be wealthy. My mind goes to things like: how did they become wealthy? what’s their social status?
Then I catch myself – I only see their skin color and believe they were different from me. With the skin color, I come with a set of expectations and judgements about their life almost unconsciously.
I’m aware then, how people make snap judgement about everyone and everything around us. We make quick decisions on what we want to believe about the person by only what the eyes can see.
However, what’s really true? what’s underneath the clothes, status, and skin?
I recently come to term with the belief that we are all equal – no one is more or less than anyone else. The shift is a shock in my system as I’m integrating it into my body.
When I come from my heart and believe we are all equal, I start to get really curious about these people. Were the dad proud of his daughters? How was the wife enjoy the moment with her family? Did the daughters have fun? Did they like what they wear?
When I believe we are all equal, I see beyond the color and connect with people at the human level. I can relate it with my own experience taking family photos. It’s weird to pose in front of camera and it’s so much fun! I start to feel the love sending out from this photo as I think about my own family.
It’s a much better world when I choose to believe we are all equal and connect at the human level.
How about you? What do you believe?
Love,
Wen