Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Celebrating Differences

"Changing the world starts with a kind word, a loving action, and accepting and celebrating the differences in others."
~Mama Hen
I just saw a movie that left me wondering when we will all be able to "get along" here on earth. It was a historical movie about one of the events that took place in history that involved a lot of pain and death (this is an understatement). (This is why I like to watch romantic comedies! Too stressful for a sensitive gal like me.) I am not going to go into details about the name, historical event, country or year. As far as I am concerned, hate, hurt and unkindness has continued all throughout history and continues on today. What I was left with after watching this film was a feeling of "Why can't we all just get along?" Why can't we accept the "differences" in one another and live decent lives? I know these questions run deep and encompass a myriad of problems wrapped up neatly in the way I am asking them. However, it does seem kind of simple if we all just start with ourselves and be kind in every aspect of our lives. I am easily pained by the hurt that goes on daily on this beautiful planet and wish there was a way for us all to live in harmony so that our children can know a much kinder world. This will never happen until we can start celebrating the differences in our neighbors.
How do you try to make this world a better place?

25 comments:

  1. What a great question! I came from a fairly intolerant family (smalltownville, usa), when I was in my early teens we moved to a metropolitan area and I learned that stereotypes were not cool and being open is key to being better. I plan on teaching my children that and continue to try to teach my elders they need to keep an open mind. GREAT POST! (PS - if you like my music then that means you have great taste as well)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good post Mama Hen! I remember once how terrified I was when I was playing UNO games on Facebook (I had a lot of free time then as Ben naps longer) and this game allows up to 4 player from all over the world to play online. The moment one of the player found out I'm from Malaysia, I immediately got the "F*cking Asians, I'm going to kill you all" - really shook me. I dare not play it anymore since.

    I think what we can do is look past the colors of the person, not to be bothered with their skin colors, religions, countries they are from, rich or poor, married or single or divorced or whatsoever.

    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Call me a retard, (oh wait that sounds prejudice) ok, so call me stupid (sorry Forrest), but I really don't think all the horror in the world is due to the unacceptance of differences.
    Nope.
    It's all about power. Which corrupts absolutely, by the way. No matter the race, gender, ethnicity, or favorite ice cream flavor.
    But if I tell all you banana lovers that the strawberry lovers think you SUCK....the power is mine. And bananas around the world will unite and do as I say, just to prove the strawberries are wrong. (or to dice them up into preserves.)
    Ingenious way to control a chess board don't you think...?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pretty much agreed with you that there is not much change in this human arena over the last few decades. Sad it is indeed. Greed and power hungers might be harder to get rid of than we'd like to admit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Like you said, we can start with ourselves to be kind and respectful of others. But it's really hard when others are openly cruel for no reason at all. I've heard so much about this kind of meanness in people it's disheartening. One of my neighbors told me of an incident with a man who was inconsiderate to her, but ended up using profanity with her. My heart went out to her, she really should not be treated that way for not doing anything wrong. In fact, the man was clearly in the wrong. Ugh. Sorry this comment offers little positive insight, just venting along with you Mama Hen...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think that this raises so many important questions, and like you I don't like watching movies like that for the same reasons. I am too sensitive and I am left with these big philosophical questions like you LOL! But that being said I agree that the thing for us all to do is start with ourselves and be kind and respectful and if everyone did that it would really change the world in a good way.
    I also agree with Mommy Mambo to an extent, that a lot of the horror we see in the world is greatly fueled by people who are greedy for power, and that power really can corrupt. But if their were more people who cared then these people would stand less of a chance of getting into power. I know you said you didn't like Sci-fi but the Hunger Games trilogy touches on everything you just posted about. I think you might be surprised, if you tried reading it. The books are great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It must have something to do with our instinctive need to protect our own interests - but I fail to see how we gain by putting down others. I will never understand why people are so adamant that their way is the 'right' way that they will kill and maim to prove it. My heart just aches with frustration. Why can't they just get on with their own lives and leave others' to theirs? I don't get it, I really don't. x

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I just started reading your blog and wanted to introduce a new blog that I am part of called www.herdailydeal.com.

    I think my last comment was a bit extreme so I wanted to revise! People are all good by nature.. the more you understand yourself the more you can understand the actions of others.. I dont think people have a desire to hurt others but I think it may be a subconscious trigger that some let out on others.. if that makes sense..

    ReplyDelete
  10. I feel you about watching movies like that - I'm haunted for days by violent or painful movies. As for our world problems, I think it happens because everyone wants to do what they think is right for the world, and there are obviously different opinions. Everyone has a different view of what utopia would be like, so there are always going to be fights and fundamental differences. And those people really believe that they're doing the world good when they commit what others to be atrocities.
    I wholeheartedly agree with Hannah - try out The Hunger Games - it's so good!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful sunset photo!

    Good to see you on Tuesday Blog Hop from Nimbler Grove! My inspiring messages are now available on Twitter. Stop by and sign up!

    http://inspiredbyron.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is why I stick to light hearted, funny and happy movies :) Although occasionally I am drawn in to watch one of these movies like what you mentioned and they get me thinking too. It is so sad what has come of us... I really do hope that things get better overtime with the willingness of people to start to work together and appreciate and respect one another. I feel it will take generations to fix though.

    There are a lot of good people out there but unfortunately there are still those out there who haven't got a clue... The other day I was in the grocery store with my daughter. I got lots of comments and questions about her which is fine but one was not so nice.. This women keeps saying and carrying on about how she can't get over how small she is ( as she is saying this she is clearly staring at my daughters trach as well) Then she peers around the carriage and stares at me. Are you pregnant again she asked? I said yes with a smile. She then says, OH NO that is to bad and stares back at my daughter.
    Anyways this is a little off topic but I try to stay nice to all around me but find it hard when I run into people such as this women. I said nothing back to her, smiled and walked away.

    Mama Hen, Also wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog to say hi! Hope you and your family are doing better now that little chick is.

    ReplyDelete
  13. New follower from Tuesday Blog Hop! Come visit me: www.frugalonthecheap.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. eversince there are more bad than good things in the news i stopped watching films where there are too much violence or which would require me to think a lot, haha.. i've also opted to watch rom-com movies and comedy flicks which would make me happy and light-hearted..your question's quite serious though, mama hen, hehe..i try to make this world a better place by not pre-judging..living here in KSA where I am exposed to different nationalities and cultures make me practice that..i try to deal and relate with the person as he/she is and not based on the country he/she's from..

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thanks for following! Now following you back :)

    http://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am your newest follower from tuesday blog hop! Hope you will return the favor http://adventuresofthedomesticatedmama.blogspot.com/2010/09/tuesday-blog-hops_14.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am unable to watch movies of that nature now that I am a mother-they shake me up inside. But I totally understand the point of this post, I wish there was no evil in this world, no hate...but the truth is, people are cruel. We can't teach ourselves to be accepting of ALL people, because we must protect ourselves from this evil. Sad but true. Good post :) Hope you are doing well and Chick is rested and feeling GREAT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for following Three Crazy Munchkins- I'm following back!
    Lauren

    ReplyDelete
  19. I try to have a gracious heart. Three big things that I want to teach my son: always give thanks to God, give back to the world, and be kind to yourself and others.

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's so hard when you're growing up and certain stereotypes seem normal. I try so hard not to judge or put down anyone. Now that I'm a mom, I try even harder. It all comes down to being nice to others which is something we learn from an early age but seem to forget as we get older. It seems like an easy concept but it's hard sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Mama Hen! Thanks so much for your sweet comment about Livia. As always, a lovely post...I really enjoy reading your thoughts. Have a wonderful week! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very well said Mama Hen! Ignorance and hate cause way too much problems in this world. It's sad that we as people still have not learned from the mistakes made throughout history.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for following me. I am now following you back.
    Day by Day Savings

    ReplyDelete
  24. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog from Nimble Grove's hop! Following you back!!

    You have a great blog....looking forward to reading more.

    Karen @ http://barefootinportland.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. so true, and something that I think about so often. I believe so much in recognizing and appreciating the differences of each other, in learning from each other, and growing with each other, and it is one of the things I spend a great deal of time teaching my daughters. That no matter who we are, what we look like, we are all HUMAN. We are different, but so very much the same. Great post, Mama Hen!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

 

Blog Design By Sour Apple Studio © All Rights Reserved.