The Spice of Life

They say that variety is the spice of life. We as humans, sure like our variety, don't we? We see it, or it is a part of our everyday lives...and the more variety we're given, the more we seem to love it. We want a variety of places to shop...a variety of choices when we go out to lunch. We want...coffee, latte', cappichino...??? What choices! We love the variety of the autumn colors, as they become more and more prevelant in the fall, or the variety of of colors we get with the rebirth of spring flowers and flittering butterflies. We want variety in our July 4th celebrations, as we oooh and ahhhh, over the different colors that burst in the sky. We stand in awe of nature, and the many varieties of birds, animals, even the snowflakes...wonderous variety. Do we begin to pick apart what is wrong with the rose, or the water lily? Do we find something wrong with the mighty oak, or the graceful willow? We surely can't think that we can improve the sound of the bobwhite's morning call, or the whiporwill's night song, or make the eagle more majestic. Of course not.
So now, this brings us, as humans, to the blunt of the question. Why, do we not see this "wonderous variety", when we look upon our fellow man? You know what I'm talking about...you hear the remarks everyday...the racist, and hateful remarks of bigotry about someone of another race, creed, or color. Something that sickens me to the bottom of my soul.
Yet, we seem to think that the entire world would be so much better if everyone were like "us"! My question would be, "If this is the way we think, how will the world EVER become a better place?" It can't, or not as I see it. Not until each and everyone of us, start looking at "humans", as humans,...not white, black, brown, red...that is of no consequence. Roses are just as beautiful regardless of their shades of pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows. Human are beautiful roses, with our beautiful variety of shades.
When did we start looking at each other as though we were less than human...in some cases, lower than animals? When did we stop thinking that others don't hurt or that their feelings don't matter? Thankfully, all humans are not like that. There are some that can see beyond the color, or race, those that learn about the magnificance of other countries, and cultures. Much of them live their lives by the teachings of Christ, and the Golden Rule, that says, Matthew 7:12 "So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets." We would never want to say hurtful things, or do anything to hurt another, becuase we would know, it would be the last thing we'd want done to us. But, instead, we lash out with hateful remarks, then look surprised, like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar, when we get hateful remarks lashed back at us. Well, DUH!!!! What should we expect. I find, for the most part, that when I greet people with a smile, I most often get a smile back, and from some of the most "unlikely" charactures, as some of you might think. But, if I instantly remarked something hateful about their bright purple mohawk, I probably wouldn't have gotten the same response. lol Now granted...I do think that looks rather rediculous...and I appologize for anyone reading this, that may have a mohawk...purple hair, or both. But, I know it isn't the "hair" that makes up what's inside. That is what counts.
We tend to not look at people's hearts anymore. We tend to get so stuck on outwardly appearances...and I really don't know why. Now grant it...We're not all as handsome as Clark Gable, or as suave' as 007, and not all of us were blessed with the figure of Marilyn Monroe, or the face of Elizabeth Taylor, but our hearts are far more beautfiul, and we can always show that to the world. They can see it by the way we live, by the deeds we do, and by the way we treat others. I see the way some live their lives, bitter and hateful towards all who don't see eye to eye with them. I can't help but think, that they truely must be miserable. We all have our moments, when we're upset, or feel strongly about something...certainly, our blood pressures rise, and we feel like we're about to explode! Can you begin to imagine feeling like that all the time? No Way!!! It would have to make you feel horrid!
Another thing that we fail to do as humans, is go back to what was a "good" time in life. We buy the old 68' Mustang, or a new car, like a PT, that resembles an "old" car. Our fashions go back to times we liked. But, somehow, we can't make ourselves get back to just plain "old fashioned politeness".
I remember hearing last year, around Christmas time, on the radio, that now it is "politically correct" to wish someone a "happy holiday"...vs. "Merry Christmas". This way, we will not "offend" anyone. Now, those of you who know me, know I am a Christian, but you tell me why, I should be "offened" if a Jewish friend wished me a happy Hannukah. I shouldn't! I should expect that! Wouldn't you think? I would expect my African friends, to wish me a happy Kwanza. So, now, why, all of a sudden, do we start to get offended if someone says Merry Christmas to us... and we don't celebrate Christmas...here is where I'm talking "old fashioned politeness"...then smile and say "Thank You"...then forget it! You DON'T stew all the way to the car, talking under your breath, saying "how dare he". What kind of "...." is that. Now I'm sorry...but that is just rediculous! Just say thank you, and be done with it! I believe there are many, many of us, that have stopped even being able to reason, or so it seems.
I must include a line from a movie, that I really loved. I'm sure many of you have seen it. Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. At one point, Robin's friend, who was Arab, and a follower of Islam, was asked by one of the children, that lived in Sherwood Forest, "Did God paint you?" She said it with a smile, as she touched the tattoed images on his face...marks of his religon, and he laughed and smile back at her, and said..."Yes...God painted me." Again, she looked at him and asked, "Why?" and his reply was one of such character when he looked at her and smiled, "Because Allah loves Wonderous variety!" God, so loves all of us...he made all our colors...all our lands. To Him, we are simply His children.