Look for the Beauty Around You

Many have asked what happened to the blogging over the summer. Well, I intentionally disconnected from the writing and carried the blogs and thoughts in my head, in my journal, in conversations. Summer for me is time with family, with my beautiful nieces & handsome nephew, lazy days with friends, and meeting the newest of the family- my adorable nephew, Wyatt. I knew I did not want the distraction of formulating words on the computer in the midst of trying to soak in every moment with them. So, Bitter Party of 1 took a bit of a siesta and the writing that happened in my head rarely made it to the screen.

Just as I was prepared to write, the turmoil of our nation- racism, white supremacy, hatred- took the forefront. My heart aches. I am sickened. I have no words. There is fear and confusion and disgust and anger and outrage and deep hurt. How could I write about something that would seem so frivolous in the midst of what my friends of a color different than my own are watching and experiencing? What could I even say at that point? How do I respond to the ignorance I witness on the news, Facebook, and any other social media outlet? I still don't know the answer to that.

I am embarrassed and angry. I am disgusted by the actions and words I see and hear. I wonder what the people I interact with on a daily basis will wonder when they look at me, a white American. I will never understand the hurt that many of my dear friends experience because I have always had white privilege on my side. That I can't change. What I can do though is combat the hate with love. I can show the people around me- of any color, nationality, religion, sexual orientation- genuine love. I can listen to their words. I can shed tears with them. I can stand by their side and say, I am here. I can look for the beauty in each and every person I encounter.

Hate is taught. That is clear. Walk into any classroom of young children and they do not see the color of someone's skin, they do not know the differences in their religions, they are classmates- all on the same playing field. It is often as they become older and more aware of what people are saying and doing around them, that you see the shift. If hate can be taught, so can love and love overpowers hate more than anything. As an educator, our job right now is bigger than we could ever imagine. Our students are listening- to the tone in our voice, the words that exit our mouths, the way we speak to the people around us. They are watching every action we make- subtle or not. They are paying attention and they will respond to the way we act. If I was frustrated with a student, I found that my other students also became easily frustrated. If I responded with grace and love and patience, they did the same. The conversations we have in our classrooms are shaping their minds, their belief systems, their future. And they should not be taken lightly. We must teach LOVE through all that we do.

Recently a pastor asked about the beauty around us... He asked what we had seen lately that we considered beautiful...

I saw beauty...

at brunch as we shared a table and conversation with a stranger of a different color because those were the only seats in the house and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. We talked baseball and food and the benefits of the city and being single.

yesterday when the woman at the ball game had the biggest smile on her face and greeted each and every person that came her way with joy- no matter who they were. She was black. I am white. It didn't matter.

last night as I was able to sit across the table from very dear friends with very different backgrounds and discuss the recent events, listen to their thoughts, share mine, talk about life, laugh together, pray together,  share a meal together and walk away knowing the Lord is bigger than the ignorance that one color is better than others.

in memories of my classes of the past- packed with multiple colors, religions, cultures- and seeing them love each other through the good days and bad.

as I was able to have a long overdue FaceTime call with a friend from Zimbabwe as we shared what was happening in our lives- he shared his struggles and triumphs, I shared mine- both mattered.

It's easy to stick to the people that look just like us, sound like us, worship like us, believe like us... but I can guarantee when that happens, we are the only ones missing out. We miss out on the beauty of diversity. We miss out on stories we would never know without someone nearby sharing them with us. We miss out on this beautiful world around us. My challenge to you tonight is to look for the beauty around you and share that with others. Say hi to someone you normally wouldn't. Engage in conversation with someone that you wouldn't normally talk to. Watch. Listen. I promise your heart will be touched and you will walk away changed.