Black & White

What if we lived in a black and white world? What if everything fell into two categories? What if you had to be one way or the other? What if there were two ways to do something, the right or wrong way? What if you were in charge of making those judgments?

What if we thought as a child? We walked up to everyone and said, “hello.” We offered our food when they had none. We smiled when they needed one. We laughed at their jokes to make them feel better and we said I love you without really understanding why not. What if we could all go back to that place where judgment didn’t exist and it didn’t matter if you had money, if you were red or purple, if you were tall or short, if you believed in Jesus, God, Buddha or nothing at all.

What if we all took the road less traveled? The trail of judgment didn’t prevail. Instead we were left with the simple kindness and good deeds that often get lost in the everyday. The innocence we once possessed as children weren’t replaced with judgment that had refined into opinions that we live by.  I decided to challenge myself one day to live like a child.  

I was going to smile at everyone. I was going to wave and I was going to say what I thought. I was going to walk up to strangers and compliment them. I was going to ask questions no matter how out of place they were. I was going to hang my stereotypes where they belong, in the closet. I was going to see the world the way it was meant to be.

I was going to ask the lady on the street how she got there. I was going to give her my food because I noticed that she also looked hungry. I was going to solve her problems quickly with simple answers and wave goodbye.  I was going to be hopeful that my enthusiasm and advice changed her a little bit. I was going to wear all my favorite clothes whether they matched or not. I wasn’t going to look in the mirror once because I know what I look like. I was going to apply my lip-gloss all over the place and know that it isn’t the lip-gloss that makes me beautiful, it is I.

I was going to sit directly next to someone without regard for his or her “personal” space. I was going to ask how they were doing and look at them when they responded. I was going to put away my phone and listen to the people around me. I was going to sing as loud as I could even if I didn’t know the words or the tune. I was going to experience bliss without talking myself out of it.

I was going to be happy for everyone and clap when they did a great job. I was going to be the first to give a hug and the last to say something unkind. I was going to have a day where I wasn’t worried about my life, my children, my health, or my bills. I was going to focus on what everyone else was doing. In fact if I got hurt, a Band-Aid fixes everything and "I love you" from my parent would make it all better.

I would no longer live in a black and white world where judgment and hate prevails. I would erase what I think, and question until I know. I would look at issues from both sides before creating opinions and making judgments. I would understand that there is no absolute. There is only indecision.  The only thing that is true is if we each have the power to think like a child. We have the power to erase what we “thought” and live in what we know. We need to take a moment to extend our hand and open our heart. We need to shut our mouth and our eyes long enough to erase the judgment so we can truly hear another person’s story. We are not red, blue, or white. We are not fat or skinny, rich or poor. We are people with feelings and ideas and the ability to take a higher road.