Other than the pandemic and politics – though they are endless fonts of conversational fodder – lots of what is going on today in America is about individuality. Individual groups are calling to be recognized. That’s great, but while we recognize the individuality as a great strength, the greater strength is in the beautiful blend we achieve as unique parts of the whole. As we discussed two weeks ago in my snowflakes column, we’re all and each unique, especially in this American nation, so we’ve got plenty of that.
Right now, for example, I, myself, am working long hand, under a sun-brella. I call it a sun-brella because it is sheltering me from the sun, not the rain. Part of my particular individuality is difficulty with bright light and, most of the time, that’s sunlight. I could just wear sunglasses but, especially as I’m sitting in my living room, they would just make everything a bit too dark. So, as ridiculous as it is, I’m under an umbrella … in the living room.
Usually, I would just relocate myself – it’s a long story. Cliff Notes: I’ve broken my foot and am, however temporary it may be, confined to one location at the moment. So, with the sun bouncing off my scratch paper, for this hour, I must just look ridiculous under my sun-brella, in the house. Luckily, I’m not superstitious.
So, part of my individuality is my issue with bright light but, like those snowflakes, each of us is unique. Whatever it is that makes each of us so completely, particularly, specific is what makes our whole world possible. Someone was first to venture out of the treetops or the cave; someone ate the first berry from a particular bush, wanted to see what was past some mountain, or created music by banging on different rocks.
For example, those who are willing to study for decades and train to drill a hole, whether in someone’s tooth or someone’s head, make life sustainable. Of course, we can’t all be dentists or surgeons, nor should we; society couldn’t sustain itself, but neither can we all be ballerinas, butchers, or musicians. Variety is required to sustain life and each of us brings something different and unique to the table.
Most of us have been to an emergency room at some time, whether for our self or a loved one. The staff is comprised of people who chose a path which fulfilled them. We are all, then, the beneficiaries of their choice, dedication and expertise.
Every one of us journeys through life having various experiences with numerous types of dental, medical, educational and inspirational professionals. We also enjoy the impromptu and self-educated gifts of those of that particular bend. We all need others, help others, and enjoy or benefit from the skills and chosen dedication of others, and each of us has the right to discover, perfect, and share those dreams and skills.
Anyone, for any reason, left untapped as a resource is a potential life-saver left to languish. Just by being able to do some particular thing at any time and place, each of us gives to the others. My mom used to say, “One hand washes the other, but both hands wash the face.” In that, we can certainly help one another, but it’s best when we all help the crowd.
No one, for any reason, can be ignored as a resource for all to benefit from, and no one for any reason can be left untapped as part of a prosperous, healthy, viable and progressive society. Moreover, none of us, for any reason, can allow any other one of us to die on the vine. The hand we bind may be the hand the world awaits.
As one nation, fully developing each and every member of our society is our responsibility, our privilege, our strength, a jewel in our crown and, quite possibly, our saving grace as well. Each of us being free to pursue our dreams, assisted in that by our whole society, is the only way for our nation to be its best.
If we want to call ourselves the world’s greatest nation, we must not only legislate one as a nation’s people, we must behave like one as individuals.
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