As a child, I heard that message about equality, the message of treat everyone fairly, no one is better than anyone else, for example. I internalized, perhaps too literally, that message as each person sits at the table of life with the exact same gizmos in their genetic tool box. Which meant to me that if challenged to do or create a birdhouse, let's say,...each and every one of us could conceivable arrive a the exact same highest quality result--I mean, being that we all started with the exact same set of tools. Right?

The sense was that any individual who missed the mark must not have tried, or was lazy or they had not applied themselves or whatever else was thought to be lacking in them.

So, I have been out in there expecting to see this manifest in our world.

As an adult I had been experiencing other adults through those rose-colored equality glasses. I have been struck by where they are on their path and where I am on mine given that, presumably, initially we each started with an equally equipped toolkit in our possession.

I discovered that it is not that the 3rd place finisher was lazy or did not try, or that the 1st place winner was an overachiever or a narcissist. No, I ventured deeper to discover that fundamentally their toolbox was differently equipped or creatively employed. Some tools would be used just as planned. Other tools would rot or rust in the box from lack of use or having never been touched. Some tools were NEVER discovered, opened or touched. Still others would get applied in a way that I am not sure the master builder intended! Ultimately, results would be all over the map.

But what has astonished me, what I have changed my mind about, is what I expect of human spirits. If at the core human being are equal in deserving love and happiness. I am all in.

However, when it comes to experiencing individuals, I make note of their external PR messages and move to a space where I am better able to take a peek in their toolbox to see what tools they have employed. Then, I open to expect and accept that whatever their choice, it is all good.

Peace,
Umoja

P.S. This belief is still in the incubator, so if you have any thoughts please share.