Small Things Count

It’s a brand-new year, a fresh start. How should we approach it? Resolutions will probably last only a few weeks. Action is more fruitful. This is a good time to focus more on where we need attitude adjustments. To acknowledge the fact that, when we encounter a stranger of a particular race, nationality, religion, age, housing-status, job, sexual orientation, etc., the little stomach flip-flop is a feeling of unease or distrust resulting from an unconscious judgment we’re making about someone. To recognize that it’s human nature to jump to conclusions about strangers, based not only on our past experiences, but also on social media, slanted news stories, friends’ opinions, and what’s going on in the world. These seep into our sub-conscious. If we work hard this year to identify those negative feelings and root them out, we’re that much closer to erasing what divides humanity and building a happier, more just world.