Bias
How it limits us?
I have a client I have worked with since 2016. Their dog is a funny sort. When I had taken the dog to the park or other places he would act very shy around most people. I had chalked his distance with being super bonded with his human. Unbeknownst to me, he liked a certain type of people. I learned this one day after working with him for a while. Funny enough, I had hired an assistant who fit the profile of the dog’s preference. When the dog arrived for their boarding, they ran straight to my assistant and jumped in their lap. That is when I realized this dog has a particular taste on who he likes and feels comfortable around.
Like people, dogs have preferences, likes and bias opinions. They are conditioned as we are with the environment around them. They prefer what they are accustomed too. This is why I stress the importance of having many walks of life as friends. The more different your circle the more you are encouraged to see other’s opinions better. Creating a community that is inclusive allows all to feel safe. One doesn’t need to align fully to have a relationship. Maybe dogs bond you. Or love of books. Movies can even be used as a means to connect.
It is when we use our “identities” that may cause disharmony. One person may love the Green Bay Packers, while another loves Steelers. Does this mean those two cannot be friends? Of course they can be friends. They may have different favorite teams, but the fact they love football should be the underlining piece that brings them together. There is nothing wrong with healthy banter of whose is better. However, when one becomes a fanatic about their ideas, that can lead to isolation and getting cut off from all others.
It is easy to see the world as black and white, but the reality is life is full of color many never see based on their beliefs. It saddens me to read some thoughts on social media. Liberals bashing republicans for being ignorant. Republicans claiming libs are crying babies. The truth is we need one another to make a full picture. When we work together and are able to appreciate our differences, we can grow and be better. We learn from one another and find new ways to make paths.
This doesn’t mean conservatives give up their appreciation for their traditional values. Or does it mean democrats shut out those who may not accept all walks of life. As long as we understand we are all in this together and try to work as a real unit versus us against them we can win. We can create an even stronger and more accepting world. After all, don’t we all want to be seen and heard. To feel anchored on a planet that is spinning nonstop in a universe we know little about. I know if I had a table that reached all around the world, I would want every walk of life to join and sit. I could learn from each other’s cultures and find we are not so different. May you find yourself being more curious and less judgmental as you wonder around life
.