Day 23: The Beauty in Diversity

Day 23 has been absolutely glorious. First of all, let me also say that Day 22 was just as good, if not better. I took it easy all morning, rested, lounged about in my fluffy bath robe, sat on the porch and enjoyed the cool morning with Krypto the Super Dog and a hot mug of coffee, and then meditated for quite some time. After taking the morning to care for myself and find balance, I felt completely rejuvenated and was able to catch up on house work in no time at all. Not only was I able to recover from an emotionally exhausting weekend, but I was also so productive and positive.

Today was similar. I took it easy for the most part, but still needed to crack down on my work. I was productive and felt completely relaxed all day. But as I worked, I had something on my mind that I would like to share with you all.

I kept thinking about how there are so many folks out there that lead lives that prevent them from being able to take an entire day to just focus on themselves. Maybe it's because of a job or other reasons that a person simply does not have the luxury of slowing down.

In fact, I lead that very same lifestyle for a very long time. I am so thankful that I am finally in a position to take time from working to focus on myself and my dreams, and to become a better mom and wife. I will never forget the trenches through which I crawled, exhausted, on bloodied knees and dirty hands to get where I am now. I worked hard, and I still continue to do so. I have seen and done a lot in my short 24 years, and have so much farther to go.

I need to say something right now. Working Mamas, I see you. Working Dads, I see you. No matter what it is that you do for a living, to make your ends, no matter what hustle you have to make, what long, seemingly endless hours you have to sacrifice, or whatever path you take, I see you, and I respect you tremendously. Whatever efforts you are making to become a better version of yourself, and to find peace within yourself on your journey through this life. I see you.

I am so in love with the diversity of our lives on this beautiful and singular blue marble. I truly am. I find that each person I meet has an original story, a unique perspective.

Ethnicity, skin color, our physical bodies, sexual orientation, religious and spiritual beliefs, social class, all of these things are so diverse on so many different levels and planes, each one splattering this beautiful earth with a vibrant, lovely color of its own to form this universal masterpiece that we all share together.

How can hate be so prevalent? I cannot understand it. I cannot fathom. We all ask not to be judged and if we truly did not judge one another, would we be in the state we are in now? Each person I encounter on any given day is a beautiful part of something that is so much bigger than ourselves, this gift we have been given but take for granted so frequently.

I understand that we all, thanks to diversity, have different beliefs. Spiritual, religious, or what have you. And when those beliefs are questioned or shamed, we become defensive. Some even become lethal. But imagine a world where we could all support one another in our beliefs, listen without judgement, and share them among one another without discrediting the beliefs of another. Without judgement, without persecution. Just acceptance and support.

Diversity is essential to humanity. I discovered a model today, named Khoudia diop. Obviously her skin tone is not something you see every day. Isn't she beautiful?? I was absolutely blown away by her beauty. I couldn't even believe that she was real. She is so stunning. She is so unique. She is so proud to just be herself. Just absolutely beautiful.

So I want to take the time to say to all of my readers out there: if no one else ever says this to you, I love you for who you are. Whatever you look like, whatever you believe, whatever you do, whatever dreams you chase, whatever baggage weighs your heart, whatever path you take, whatever wrongs you may commit and whatever efforts you make to right them, whatever you have to do to take care of yourself and your loved ones, whatever career you may or may not pursue.

You are okay. You are unique and special and an important part of the flow of the universe. You are one of countless, innumerable clusters of atoms moving precisely as you should about universe, headed pointedly down your own unique path to your own unique destination, and leaving behind your very own fingerprints everywhere you touch; fingerprints that no one else ever can or ever will leave. You are eternal and you are perfect exactly as you are in this moment.

Diversity is beautiful. Diversity is universal. Diversity is life.

Positive Vibes,

One Love,

Stacy (WW)