Individuality

"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion."

"The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position. "

There is an interesting halacha I recently saw in the Rambam. If two people come before the court and testify about an event that they both say occurred and use the EXACT same words - we suspect that they are lying. It CAN'T be that two people would express themselves in an identical fashion. EVERYBODY is different. People might seem similar in certain ways but in fact every person is a world unto himself.

This is critical! It means that when dealing with someone else we must be very accepting and open to the person's "otherness". NOBODY is going to be exactly like me and if I accept this at the outset it will be easier for me to accept someone else. Then my heart will open and I will begin to appreciate the other peoples uniqueness. It is so important for us to let other people be themselves. That is who they are and how G-d made them - for a reason.

I often watch people's individuality being quashed. It is sad. The world loses out on that person and the person loses out on himself.

B'emet sad! So parents, siblings, friends, children - encourage others to be themselves and everyone will benefit!

Love and Blessings!