Different is good. It’s the spice that binds us together. Without it life is bland, less joyous, and tinted with muted colors.
As many of you know, I ride the bus into Manhattan each morning for work. It can take 2 and a half hours some mornings and while the idea of that, in the beginning, was a bit daunting, I use that time to get some work done and reflect on life and how I can become a better person.
Not every morning, but on some mornings, I see this lady meditating at the bus stop. Her eyes are closed as she stands completely still, her arms out in front of her. She always looks so serene, her energy relaxed as she goes about her meditation.
This morning we struck up a conversation and I found out that what she practices is called Falun Dafa. It’s a Chinese spiritual practice that includes meditation and exercise and is centered around the moral philosophy of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance.
She runs a bookstore called Tiani Books and Cafe in Midtown, Manhattan. It’s a speciality bookstore that sells books about Falun Dafa in 30 different languages. It also features a cafe and coffee shop. They even offer free classes!
My point is this: our differences are what makes life interesting. If all we ever did was surround ourselves with people that think like us then we can’t grow. Not as an individual and not as a society. Branch out and celebrate what makes us unique. Don’t push people away because they don’t look like you, act like you, believe in the same things as you or value what you value. That’s the spice of life! Celebrate the differences.
If you ever find yourself in Manhattan stop by, grab a cup of coffee and meditate. Check out their website here.