The opposite of boredom

Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars.
The Plain-Bell Sneetches had none upon thars.
Those stars weren't so big. They were really so small.
You might think such a thing wouldn't matter at all.

But, because they had stars, all the Star-Bell Sneetches
Would brag. "We're the best kind of Sneetch on the beaches."
With their snoots in the air, they would sniff and they'd snort
"We'll have nothing to do with the Plain-Belly sort!"
And, whenever they met some, when they were out walking,
They'd hike right on past them without even talking.
                                                                                             ~Dr. Seuss, from The Sneetches

Think about this, a completely homogeneous world. Everyone looks, thinks, talks and acts just like you. There is no contrast in color of the landscape. There are no mountains or oceans or waterfalls. The is a vast plain of grass grown to the same height. It stretches on forever. No matter how far you go, whether it be north, south, east, or west, it will always be the same. Every day, the same. Until there is nothing to look forward to, nothing to dream about or long for because there is no diversity. Every day the clone of the one before because there is nothing different to do. Until you go a little more insane every day along with every other inhabitant of this purgatory.

Why, oh why, can we not see how rich the world is with diversity? Does my tongue not long for both sweetness and spice? Do I not need the softness of spun wool and the airiness of cotton in this changing climate? Does not the artist in my soul cry out for the blush of the rose bud and the boldness of the peacock's tail? Does not the writer in me seek the thin, cold of the mountain and the ocean's spray upon my face for inspiration?  Then how could I not love my brother who walks a different path?  While walking his path, he too will find the rock that causes him to stumble and the briar that catches at his flesh. But he may have rain when you have sunshine and he me walk the beach when you have found the meadow. So when you meet, are you both not more complete when you understand the other's journey?

If you are of the belief that you are here on earth to fulfill a purpose, then you must understand that everyone else is also here for a purpose. If your gifts can make a difference, then so can theirs. And maybe, just maybe, when we flip through our file box of gifts, we will find understanding. So maybe when we compare journeys, we will find them not so very different from our own.

Diversity is a blessing, my friend. For without it, we would be lost in world devoid of knowledge and beauty. Each person you encounter has a journey to be shared. Take the time to share each journey. You can not claim the meadow is more beautiful when you have never walked the beach.

That the Sneetches go really quite smart on that day
The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches.
And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches.
That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars
and whether they had one, or not, upon thars.
                                                                                          ~Dr. Seuss, from The Sneetches