As a child, if I commented that someone in the store or another kid at school was weird or looked different my mother would always return the same response: "It would be a dull world indeed if everybody were the same now wouldn't it?"
Fast forward about 30 years. I'd like to think I'm very tolerant of the many differences in the people around me today. In fact, I admire these differences.
While it's true that common interests may attract us initially, it's the differences that stimulate us and turn us on. "Same" is stale and boring and rarely sexy. "Different" gets us laid. I believe it was Darwin's theory that said diversity is fundamental to our evolution. If you ask me, it is fundamental to procreation.
On that thought; we've all heard the expressions, "I'm an ass man" or " I'm a boobs or legs guy". Well, why? How did that happen? From the very subtle to the extreme fetish or perversion. Why does what turns us on, turn us on? I would like to someday conduct some research into this myself. I mean, I would like more concrete factors as to what specifically builds our individual sexual preferences. More on that later.
Back to the original topic; Why is it, we as a society still draw lines as if they are social borders around different "types" of people? Why do we still demonstrate so many intolerances toward race, religious conviction, sex, color, sexual orientation, ethnicity, musical tastes, appearance fashion, money, social status, language and even zodiac sign? And don't worry, this is not a recent change. I still think smokers are silly.
But forcing ones ideals on others inevitably leads to animosity and in most cases suffering. History has proven this time and time again. It is now my belief that tolerating differences in people or accepting diversity is paramount to a successful relationship either as friends or lovers. At the very least it should rank up there with having the same religious beliefs or sexual preferences.
This got me thinking. I became more aware of the narrow-mindedness and intolerance that surrounds me. I also became conscious of my own. Instead of trying to end our differences, let's celebrate them and accept the fact that by our very nature we are different. And if you think you are better than someone else? You're not. You're just different. Isn't that enough?
As for me, I beg to differ and I'm growing to like it.
PS For the record? I'm kind of an ass man....
......this week. ;)
