Hi Friend
This week was one I’ve been looking forward to for some time. It did not disappoint. I flew out Monday morning heading to Atlanta. I have some friends there I have done work with before and we were finally getting to do another in-person gathering. It was with their clients. I love this kind of event, when a company does a give-back to their clients.
Then I was off to New Jersey with a new client who is literally creating new technology to fight bladder cancer. They had the prototype there, which looked like a pretzel. It’s truly unbelievable work they are doing. They are two years out from launching and are working like mad to hit that deadline. I was completely fascinated by what they do.
Because I was so close, of course I headed over to New York City for a night. That place has my kind of energy. I walked around Times Square, got pulled into a street show, ate at my favorite food cart and soaked up all the goodness it had to offer.
I realized one of the things I love most about NYC is the enormous variety of people around me constantly. Characters from all over the world are strolling around, dressed in their fashions, speaking their language, enjoying the sights and sounds like I am. Of course, the locals take that experience up a notch. From the performers to the waiters, it’s like permanently being in a show.
Diversity is so dang appealing!
In work environments DEI is all the rage. Creating seminars, webinars and trainings to educate employees is at a premium these days. However, all we have to do is walk around NYC for a night to experience the tremendous value a melting pot offers. Of course, the difference is I was only spending one night in this beautiful environment. I couldn’t get enough of it!
Humanity is complex. Our small world is a huge assortment of unique individuals from a billion different cultures. Literally. From their family culture to their community to their spiritual to their ethnicity to their country, mixing an assortment of variables gives us each our own singular perspective in the world. I love it.
It’s ginormously magnified in NYC!
I’m captivated by appearance and language. Not so much clothes, but faces. Eyes, nose, mouth, shape of the head – I know it sounds weird, but I find artistry in each persons face. In Times Square I was enthralled by imagining each persons’ story by what their faces communicated. Every face has beauty and dignity.
From accents to entirely different languages, listening to people chatter also causes great delight. Most other languages seem to flow more rapidly and fluidly than english. I’m jealous of the speed, sound and syllables that gush forth. Even the numerous accents utilizing the english language are interesting to listen to.
Different
Different
Different
Why are we threatened by differences?
Fear Fear Fear
We prefer our style, approach, outlook and understanding of the world. If those divergent from us get to redefine it according to their experiences and view, we might become less central.
Supremacy
Supremacy
Supremacy
I don’t like that word. Its connotation is layered with unappealing attributes. I know it currently follows after the word “white”. On its own however, it’s an accurate descriptor of our ego’s ambition.
Instigating Ideas…
1. What do you find appealing about people who are different than you?
2. What do you find scary about people who are different than you?
3. How can we make sure we are regular encountering diversity?
4. Look closely at someone’s face without being creepy. What beautiful story do you see?
If I could visit NYC monthly, I would. It feels like I get to encounter the whole world in just that one place. I feel enlarged by that. Thankfully, even here in Oklahoma, the world is shrinking and I get to be in relationship with a variety of people who are quite different than me.