I enjoy learning something that expands my base of knowledge.
Being in unfamiliar situations introduces me to a different scope of understanding. That understanding equips me to take an unbiased view of people and scenarios that are new to me.
Visiting other countries exposes me to foreign cultures – reading publications from unfamiliar authors helps me to explore new avenues of thought and experience. I am curious about how things are done and how people live elsewhere. It gives me a sense of wonderment to see the differences and to discover what we have in common as well.
When I learn about what offends others, I am more conscious of how I interact with them.
I am respectful of other persons’ backgrounds, even when – and especially when – they are different from mine. Being aware of the nuances in an individual’s expectations helps to encourage healthy and cordial relations with others.
I am happy to have friends from diverse social upbringings and backgrounds.
Understanding how they live and seeing their experiences show me humility. While learning what I DON’T know, I am also expanding my sense of what is right for others. Learning from other people’s experiences opens my eyes, my mind, and my heart.
I avoid taking my blessings and my life for granted. I realize that some things that come easily to me are a privilege – or even denied – to others. I stay away from passing judgment when someone takes a particular view of my situation. Until and unless I have “walked a mile in their shoes” I may not be able to fully understand their point of view and their references.
Being among diverse belief systems and the people who hold those beliefs teaches me to be polite and courteous, even when someone I encounter holds a different point of view than my own.
Today, the beauty of the world comes from intentionally seeking knowledge of, and experience with diverse cultures, personalities, and backgrounds. Each day is a blessing to me because I am able to alter my perspective. My views of the world grow immensely with each passing day, and I can benefit from that growth.
