Acceptance is the truest kinship with humanity. G.K. Chesterton
Kinship is relationship and while we would like to believe that we have no personal biases when it comes to interacting with people, and that all of humanity is one, ask your conscience if it is really so. We may not make out preferences apparent, but check if the name of a person / the person’s religion / region/ language/ education/ color/ physical looks, conjure a stereo type in our minds? What happens when the person either confirms or does not confirm to that image? Strangely enough, either which way, we reserve judgment about accepting the person as he / she is!
If the person confirms to our image, we are smug in the knowledge that our hypothesis was right but we might hesitate to accept that person for either of the following two reasons. One is that we don’t like the image of the person and / or we want more proof that the image portrayed is really the right personality. If the person does not confirm to our original hypothesis a similar dilemma confronts us, for we wonder if it is a put on act by the other person or we doubt our own ability to judge. The key learning is that we take time to accept people and form a kinship with them.
There is nothing wrong in taking time to form kinship, because it is a self protective mechanism to ensure that we don’t fall prey to charmers, smooth talkers, wily and cunning people. At the same time our propensity to be suspicious, wary and treating everyone as a scoundrel unless proved otherwise is a major barrier to healthy communication, forging close bonds and embracing the other warts and all. At stake is the way we treat people; is it dignified, unbiased, proactive and warm. Do we respect their individuality; make allowances for the varied differences of culture, creed, caste, religion, education, economic disparity etc. Can we accept the differences, appreciate their uniqueness, and reconcile to the fact that despite all that we are part of one big family called the human race? If you can say a resounding YES, then we are accepting others whole heartedly and forming a kinship with them and that is what Humanity is all about.
Remember: Serve others for they are reflections of the same Entity of which you are yourself another reflection. No one of you has any authenticity, except in reference to the Original. Feel always kinship with all creation.” Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Try these:
- Make an effort to visit a prison or a mental asylum and spent a few hours with the inmates there. What are your feelings when you go there? Is there fear within you? Do you look at them with trepidation and anxiety? Do you feel sorry for them? What can you do to make them feel less like outcasts and more wanted?
- If you have a servant or help coming home have you tried to find out more about them and their families? Can you do a bit to ensure that their children get some education and dignity in society? Can you suggest them ways and means to improve their economic status? Can you help them get better jobs?
This post is courtesy www.actspot.com
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