Day 24: Allow Difference to Enrich You
No matter how far we get into community, no matter how close we get to our friends, or how copacetic we feel our community is, there will be inevitable conflicts and misunderstandings between us. Sometimes, in my low moments, I assume this is because everyone but me is a selfish jerk who never puts anyone else first. After taking a few deep breaths, though, I usually realize that those conflicts come from the exact qualities that I also cherish. The very things that drive me crazy about my friends are the things that I love.
My friends who are funny, quick-witted and insightful? Also sometimes have a sharp tongue and make a comment or two that hits too close to home. The person who is always up to host, willing to cook for a horde of people? All those organizational skills sometimes turn to rigidity. The guy who can hold a conversation with anyone, willing to go with the flow and be flexible? Sometimes he goes with the flow so long that he shows up an hour late.
In life, we get to decide what we’re going to focus on. Too often, I notice the sharp comments, rigidity, and tardiness rather than the humor, generosity, and friendliness. But if I can change where I point my lens, I’m not only going to be less resentful, but I can allow those differences to enrich my entire community. We need people of many varied talents, if only to make sure all the work gets done. It gives me great hope to see people coming together, offering what they have to build a community worth being a part of.
More than that, this living business can get exhausting. Between work, family, health, and general life management, most of us don’t have time or energy for one more task. But each of us has some thing that, while it is productive, just doesn’t quite feel like work. Maybe that’s helping out by holding a baby, or sending out weekly reminder emails, or even offering yard work services to a friend in need. If each of us moves into our unique skills, all the jobs will get done, without the burn out. And if they don’t? Maybe that stuff wasn’t as essential as we thought it was.
How can you enrich your community today by using your skills and passion?
