Alike. . .
Humanity has more in common than the differences that separate us.
Societies are fracturing as the forces of division grow stronger, driving people apart. We are losing trust in each other and in the future. Feelings of frustration, powerlessness and a loss of belonging are making us vulnerable to ‘us versus them’ stories, which turn us against each other.
But. . . are we truly that different from each other when it comes to love, hope, endurance and care?
A results from a prominent 10 year study asserts the world population may have much more in common than it has differences. the research is the most far-reaching study of everyday situations ever, teaming with researchers across the globe to include 62 countries. The aim was to determine whether the world’s population experiences life very much the same, or very differently.
Their finding? The difference among countries is smaller than expected; and the difference within countries is much greater. In other words, people from different countries and cultures aren’t that different. Yet people within the same country aren’t as similar as expected. How is this?
It was found that when we are from the same cultures we “DESIRE” to be different. We want to be different from those around us – be it smarter, wealthier or just better fed. It was also noted how countries and governments nurture those differences to create desires, classes and invisible ladders for people to climb. We naturally want more and often are willing to do anything to “gain” more even if that “more” is nothing more than a carrot on a stick.
This same study found that beyond material things and status we actually share more common traits – good traits than differences. We all want love. We all know sorrow and rarely wish harm or evil upon others (despite the news). We all cherish friends, family and moments made with them. We all know love in one form or fashion and we all strive to end not only our suffering but suffering for all.
So. . .
Don’t buy the headlines, don’t believe what the news shows and tells you is wide spread and unstoppable. Sure there is bad in the world, sure there are differences to understand and yes there is trouble in areas, BUT we are the answers to these moments and NOT the causes. We must understand our connectedness and our universal humanity and be willing to work with it, share it and be the good neighbor, good human and good actions with good minds and good hearts.
That’s you, that’s me, that’s them, and most importantly that’s US!
The surest way to build sides out of one is to instruct some to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. – Friedrich Nietzsche
Peace and Love, Jim
#alike #thedailybuddha
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