Random Experience and Diverse Substance

"Investigating that which is outside of our comfort zones

can help us better comprehend why we have

chosen to embrace ideologies important to us."

Madyson Taylor

Daily Om

Throughout my life, I have been introduced to thinking outside of the box; understanding that prejudice takes many shapes and colors; the need to treat diversity with respect; and to think through my heart rather than my educated brain.  In my life, I did not turn my head and avoid  what was not in my comfort zone.  If I disagreed, I could reference exactly why I did not agree.  These elements were important to me.  

Eclectic: Baptized as a Lutheran, attended a Roman Catholic grade school, Swedish Covenant private academy, and Disciples of Christ college.  At a very early age, I became aware of the parallels and discrepancies between religion. There was a common thread running through the interpretations of commandments, rituals, sacraments, regulations and restrictions.  Simplicity is what appealed to me and so I followed the common thread.  Controversies between the religions were of little importance to me.  My faith grew into one big adaptation.

Prejudice:  From kindergarten through eighth grade I was told I would never go to heaven as I was a non-catholic.  Four years at the academy, I learned that money was extremely powerful and the poor simply were not mentioned except for missions in far away places.  While sharing social histories in college, I sadly learned of 'broken' homes, abandonment, and poverty.  Meanwhile, my home neighborhood became a Kosher Jewish community, where I soon became misplaced.

Tolerance:  I was spit upon and threatened in a city neighborhood simply because I was white,  and somehow,  I understood that I was representing all that they perceived as injustice.  I remained moderately respectful  as elders tried to convince me Social Work was not an appropriate major, nor was Psychology.  I silently repelled the suggestion that going to college was primarily to meet a husband.  

Compassion:  While walking to kindergarten, I blessed little children with the intention of keeping them safe throughout their day.  As a grade school outsider, I understood the comfort of following a rigid dogma, and the threat of exploring other belief systems.  At the academy, I did not envy wealth for very long as I quickly understood my friends loneliness and pressure to be who they simply were not meant to be.  In college, I embraced how each individual uses their own private hell to color their personal world.  

Life is filled with lessons.  Some teachings do not occur to us until later in life.  The  advantages of being eclectic, non-prejudiced, tolerant, and compassionate are reflective in the person I am today.  A person with random experiences and diverse substance, continues to write each and every day.