I have this notion, that if we could sometime just put all of our fears aside, and recognize one another for our beauty and grace, there wouldn’t be nearly as much anxiety in our lives. Perhaps I am speaking for myself, but I really do wonder. I know many years ago, a friend of mine told me that everyone walks around with relatively similar ideas rolling through their mind. He gave me that advice in a manner to suggest that instead of feeling alone all the time with our greatest worries, we might be better served to appreciate how many of us could share the same support with one another, and this positive energy could provide us a better life, sweeter outlook on our state of being.

I am using the picture above to recognize a photographer friend – Ester Rogers – who does wonderful work with her eye. Because I am writing about diversity with the inspiration of Dancing Echoes prompting, I thought this picture worthy of some words. You see, there is something quite beautiful about the weathered hands struggling to create the ‘love’ sign, the symbolic ‘I ‘heart’ you’ suggestion we so often put aside in our busy lives. I do genuinely love people, and wish only the best in their daily routines, even those I struggle to understand sometimes. This leads toward my theme of diversity.

I work in a diverse school district. I have opportunity everyday to experience many levels of cultural variety, that separate individuals while ironically bringing them together on a daily basis. I always look at our diversity as an opportunity. I walk around the school and see students with smiles and appreciations for each other and those are the moments I want to build upon. Those are the relationships that, given the strength to grow create a foundation for our district, our community to become something special – a place where everyone can realize their self-worth and carve out an identity buily upon positive tenets. I think that common denominator, no matter the deprecation, despite the stumbling blocks, however the obstacles, has to rely upon ‘love’ to be that basis for growth.

Tonight, I’m not writing a poem, this will be an essay as I conclude. In looking back at Ester’s picture though, I want to point out the harmony with the symbol of love, and the candle’s energy, the fire within. As long as we can keep that candle burning, and we can because we like to believe our heart and soul to be in the right place. As long as we can continue to recognize the powerful nature of that symbiotic nature of two dependent forces working towards a common goal, then I think we can look forward to beautiful lives ahead. I know that is idyllic.

Imagine a world without idealism. There wouldn’t be a tremendous need to hope and pray, for without the chance of magic and beauty and grace in our lives, we would be hard pressed to care about anything around us. But we do care, and it is our responsibility to continue to show compassion toward all things we find to be important in our lives. Tonight, namely showing acceptance and delight in the fortunes and gifts of everyone around us in our daily interactions. I think in order to be truly diverse, means our willingness to share those ideals rather than snuff them out in an idle and cold gasp of ego driven pride.

In respect to our nomination for the Five Days, Five Photos theme, I would like to now nominate another writing friend – Dana Renee – whose deep state of mind always intrigues … be well everyone!