Recently I was thinking about how
We often define ourselves and others by what groups we might be part of or what categories we may fall into. We might identify by our cultural heritage, national identity, ethnic heritage, sexual orientation, gender, age, education level, by the college or high school we attended. Some of us also identify by our professions, social class, skin color, religion. If asked “who are you?” a lot of these things may come to mind.
I was thinking how divisive and damaging this can prove to be if we aren’t mindful of how we apply it. By nature we desire a sense of belonging and means by which to identify and differentiate ourselves and one another. For the purpose of finding commonalities or understanding one another this type of thinking may be useful. However, I feel that too often we use it as a means to divide rather than unite.
My thoughts were interrupted by an unseen Being as He asked me: Who Are You?
Immediately and instinctively I answered, “I am you.”
I am you the reader, the observer, I am every person I’ve ever judged, I’m every person I’ve ever idolized. I am every person I have treated poorly, I am the criminal, the perpetrator, the judge, the victim. I am every member of every family trying to cross a border to make a better life. I am also the closed-minded egocentric disallowing those to cross said border. I’m the person you’re explaining a simple concept to who just isn’t getting it. I’m also the one who’s explaining such concept and getting impatient when my listener doesn’t get it. In thinking all these things, I was reminded of a poem written by my grandmother, Dorothy “Dott” Adair.
A Thousand Lives
I know I’ve lived a thousand lives
And I will live again
We’ve been together other times
I don’t know where or when
I see the hooker on the street
And know I can’t condemn
I may have walked the streets she walks
And had as many men
I may have been a killer
Or stole that I might “be,”
How can I judge my brother
When he may have pardoned me?
And when I know the depths of love
I’m sure the prize will be
That all the folks I may have been
Forever will be free
Dorothy “Dott” Adair
My vision is for a world transformed.
A world in which we see ourselves in others. A world in which we have a knowing that we are One. An understanding that when we judge another we’re judging ourselves. And when we condemn one’s own self, we’re condemning others. A world transformed would mean living in oneness, and extending unconditional love, understanding, and forgiveness to one and all. To share our light and to see the light in others. And as Dr. Wayne Dyer said, treat them as if that’s all we see.
Listening to One Heart by Denise Rosier
