stop differentiating

I think it is human nature to compare ourselves to one another. We each do so differently, but we do do it. In our subconscious thoughts, we quickly evaluate everyone else as better or worse, popular or not, socially aware or weird, older or younger, smart or dumb, or mature or immature.

I think we miss out on so many opportunities by relying on this evaluation to decide who we will welcome into our lives. This type of differentiation limits your life to such a narrow experience. When we compare ourselves to others, we don't recognize the unique individual in front of us. Instead, we just see them as different, as better or worse than us. We end up telling our friends a story about a weird interaction or an immature person. We end up wishing we could be friends with those people that are more popular or better than us.

If we stop comparing ourselves to others, we might recognize the amazing opportunities that we are presented with all the time to engage ourselves with people of every lifestyle. Every interaction you have can be a worthwhile conversation with a unique human being, rather than a random story about a weirdo that you met in class.

(Pinterest)

Life can be so much more when you take advantage of this opportunity. Every person you meet has a chance to make an impact on you, and you have a chance to make an impact on every one else. If we stop differentiating and start valuing each other, we can all start to see the unique thoughts that every person has to offer to the world. Moreover, this way of thinking breaks down barriers and allows you to connect with so many people of different lifestyles than your own.

Why would we want to go through life with only our type of people?

Why wouldn't we take every chance in life to expand who we know and value another human?

It just seems so odd when you think about this idea of differentiating others. We all do it. It seems so natural and socially correct to figure out who's better or worse, who fits into the category of our type of people and who doesn't. Yet, it's obvious that we are all missing out on each other's whole worlds by differentiating groups of people in this way.

Maybe you're happy in your own type of world and don't feel the need to take my advice, but in my opinion, life has so much more to offer when you try not to differentiate people and start to value the unique person in front of you instead.