Imagine

On the final day of vacation last week, I sat on the porch as I did every morning while my daughter slept, breathing and thinking about what I was grateful for.

Given that my time there was ending, I savored the energy of the place even more. The amazing vibrational energy was created partly by the negative ions so graciously produced by the ocean, the warm air, and soft breezes. But what I reflected about most on this last day was the people.

At this French-owned resort in Mexico, we heard many languages and accents spoken by people of every age, shape, and economic status.

It’s so easy to focus on our differences. It’s part of our brain’s overprotective non-conscious programming, originally meant to help us stay safe when we were tribal. Now it only makes us sick and separate.

But I kept thinking about how we are all alike. From the person who works hard to make our room seem magically transformed, the staff who works long hours with a smile, and the well-to-do business executive who bring along their large extended family.

They are all the same.

What if you went through your day remembering that:

• Everyone has a story about who they are and how they came to be that way
• Everyone wants to love and be loved
• Everyone has fears, dreams, and doubts
• Everyone experiences physical and emotional pain
• Every person has a unique gifts to share with the world
• Everyone has a biological need to connect with others
• Everyone suffers
• Everyone has fatigue
• Everyone wants to be seen for who they truly are
• Everyone will die

What if you ignored job titles and roles? What if you gave no weight to perceived visible differences? What if you assumed good intentions and forgave personality ticks as coping mechanisms honed over time?

What if you connected like everyone was an old friend or a future friend or just a person worthy of being seen?

What if you made a point of dropping moments of joy in the form of a genuine compliment, a smile, a big tip…or tequila shot?

Imagine with the world would be like if we all behaved this way. Imagine what your day would be like.

Try it. See what happens…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

– John Lennon