Respecting differences is a key to living in harmony.

Although there is a lot of polarization in the USA, and other parts of the world, I believe each citizen is capable of living in harmony. Citizens are capable of listening to one another and respecting differences.  This is natural to us. It is normal to love and accept those who are different from us as well as cherishing the similarities we have with friends, neighbors and our faith communities.

When a good idea comes, we can give credence to it willingly and impartially, without holding a bias about who the idea may be coming from. We don’t have to conform to not listening or accepting good ideas that come from “the other side” either politically, in community or in church groups. 

Love listens. Love stands in awe of beauty. Love accepts without judgement. Love simply loves.

Love doesn’t condemn or squash or belittle the value of anyone else.

Love looks for the best in others.

Holding to my own opinions should never outshine my capacity to love and listen.

Diversity is beautiful. We can have harmony and unity in our diversity.

Happy Independence Day

We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest; that human life is the work, the play, the ceaseless action and reaction upon each other of these different atoms. Then, we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities*…

—

*Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellaneous Writings, p. 224:11-21