Embracing diversity does not mean trying to be color-blind or pretending that other races, cultures, political parties, religious sects, or social affiliations don’t exist, rather it means not believing you know anything about a person based on their identity. Each of us is enough, as we have been discovering throughout this year’s post theme, but we must also recognize that our “enough” is not the same as another’s “enough.” We are all unique individuals, sharing some qualities, but embodying other, diverse qualities. Embracing diversity means recognizing those differences, whether or not we agree with them. In other words, avoid stereotyping. This means “being respectful, which is the key to adapting to a new, diverse environment. To prevent or resolve conflicts that may occur in any social interaction, you should maintain an attitude of respect for others, be open-minded and willing to compromise, and know how to work together calmly to resolve conflicts.” (How To Embrace Diversity in Various Forms, 2021) An effective way to do this is to find common ground. Instead of focusing on the differences between parties, find out the similarities. Always be respectful of the differences, but working from a standpoint of common ground will provide a much better relationship. Recognizing and being respectful of other’s differences starts with accepting our own differences. Once we do that, we are going to be better able to relate to others. It’s one thing to have an opinion on something, yet quite another to try to force others to conform to our way of thinking. That is not embracing diversity, that is exhibiting privilege. The “I am right, you are wrong” attitude will get you nowhere. “We’re all wired differently and have different priorities, beliefs, and values. Through an exploration of these individual factors, we can learn how to better appreciate ourselves―and in turn, how to love more deeply, think more expansively, and live more abundantly.” (Dutt, n.d.) According to an article published in Illumination, there are four types of self-related beliefs we embody: 1.Identity (who people think they are and what they think they’re like) 2.Self-confidence/efficacy (people’s beliefs about what they can do) 3.Self-esteem (people’s evaluations of themselves) 4.Self-compassion (how people think about themselves when bad things happen). (Sapien, 2022) Go through the four types and think about how you identify yourself from each perspective. Knowing who you are, who others think you are, and how you think about yourself is a giant step toward accepting our own diversity, and having compassion, as well as respect, for other’s diversity. References
Dutt, S. (n.d.). Embrace Our Differences: The Psychology of Self-Acceptance. Retrieved from Search Medium: https://medium.com/som-dutts-philosophy/embrace-our-differences-the-psychology-of-self-acceptance-7009b2469439 How To Embrace Diversity in Various Forms. (2021, December 9). Retrieved from Luther College: https://www.luther.edu/inside-college-admissions-blog/how-to-embrace-diversity-in-various-forms#: Sapien. (2022, May 14). The 4 Types of Self-Related Beliefs and How What You Say to Yourself Improve Your Life. Retrieved from Search Medium: https://medium.com/illumination/the-4-types-of-self-related-beliefs-and-how-what-you-say-to-yourself-improve-your-life-a4646f59a9de#:
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Sometimes when one hears that someone is alone, the automatic assumption is that person is lonely. But the two concepts are actually very different. As we age, and start to lose the people we have surrounded ourselves with, loneliness can set in, even if we are actually in the company of others. Maybe you’re a person who absolutely basks in solitude. You’re not antisocial, friendless, or loveless. You’re just quite content with alone time. In fact, you look forward to it. That’s simply being alone, not being lonely. On the other hand, maybe you’re surrounded by family and friends but not really relating beyond a surface level, which has you feeling rather empty and disconnected. Or maybe being alone just leaves you sad and longing for company. That’s loneliness. (Pietrangelo, 2023) This year we have been delving into the concept of “I Am Enough!” and it’s important to remember that we are enough, even when we are alone. There are ways to learn how to enjoy being alone if you are not one of those aforementioned people who bask in solitude. Humans, being social animals, generally relish the company of other humans, but we can learn to be happy with ourselves. After all, WE ARE ENOUGH! Here are some tips to jumpstart that happiness: Learning to Love Your Solitude
Taking these tips in mind will help you be more comfortable as your web of family and friends slowly shrinks. Age, time, and circumstance all play a role in the size of our communities. References
Griffin, T. (2022, September 28). How to Stay True to Yourself. Retrieved from wikiHow to do anything. . . : https://www.wikihow.com/Stay-True-to-Yourself Pietrangelo, A. (2023, March 15). The Beginner's Guide to Being Happy Alone. Retrieved from United Healthcare : https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-be-happy-alone |
AuthorI am a Performance Enhancement Specialist with a background in Emergency Psychiatric Medicine and Community Addiction. Archives
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