Pennsylvania.
Original Photo by SnapDragon X.
All rights reserved, yo.
I fondly remember the days of grammar-school playgrounds; of brown-bagged lunches; of field trips to museums, caverns, and coal mines.
I remember the sense of belonging within those classroom walls.
There was a constance amongst us kids: a comradery that strengthened with each lesson, each game, each talent show.
The questions we asked were not stupid, but welcomed.
We were family.
And as the decades pass—my hips widening, my face accumulating these beloved grooves of experience and time—I wonder where the simplicity of that idea has gone.
Because we were on the same side once.
And somewhere along the line, we chose to separate, to divide.
We see it everyday:
Religion, politics.
Income.
City versus Rural.
Mask or No Mask.
Everything is a debate; an affront; a dance of ignorance and arrogance that ultimately goes nowhere.
It’s a Members Only, VIP Society.
You’re either in or out, love.
And while each of these divisions presents a lifetime of conversation. . .
I wonder why we do this to ourselves, again and again and again.
. . .
I’m here.
And I see you.
I love you.
I am you.
And you, Dear Reader, are me.
And here we are, together.
Side by side.
. . .
SnapDragon is a writer, teacher, and sometimes-quiet observer.
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As long as we focus on that which divides us instead of that which we have in common, we are screwed.
Well said, my friend. 🕊
When I finally was done- choosing to enter recovery- a saying rang true- “focus on the similarities not the differences” we could use that everywhere today
I love that. Thanks for sharing, friend. 🕊
I hear you Snapdragon.
I see you.
I am you,
And you are me.
Luna Xxx
Thank you, dear Luna.🕊🕊🕊
Um…LOVE this… So you mind if I print and frame it!!!!????
Haha. Thank you! Go for it!
🤓🥰🕊
Thanks so much, friend. 🕊
If there were more people like you (and we) who believe this the world would be a better place!
Thank you for your kind words, friend. May we continue to plant those seeds of hope and acceptance! 🕊
Omgs, Snapster, you gave me the warm fuzzy I didn’t know I desperately needed today! Thank you, Little Sistah.
Haha. My pleasure! And you calling me ‘Snapster’ definitely made my day. 🙈💝🕊
If everyone is on the same side, is there even such a think as a “side”?
How true, my friend. I also feel like this quote could go on a tee shirt! 🤩👏🏻🕊
There was this girl during my time at high school who once told me that she would find a way to convert me to Christianity. I don’t think she did it out of hatred for Islam, nor was I bothered by her attempts because I knew she strongly believed in it. If anything, I told her to try by all means. Regardless, if she needed advice with a maths question or vice versa, I’m sure we would’ve both been glad to help.
I think it’s all too easy to forget that division can be a choice we make instead of being something inevitable. We might express disgust at anyone who differs from us, except like a marriage, a lot of them could have been addressed maturely and compassionately before jumping to divorce. Unless they’re actively trying to kill you or the like, I don’t see why we should be so harsh on each other.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, friend. I think we all know how it feels to be considered ‘other’, and it’s not a good feeling. My hope is that we can focus on the many wonderful things we have in common! 🕊
Great words truly spoken
Thanks so much, friend. 🕊
You’re welcome friend
Really good and timeless.
Thank you, friend! Truly appreciated. 🕊
We become what we put our energy into creating. As others have commented, if we focus on the divisions we will further those fractures. If we *celebrate* those differences, and seek to lift each other up, we will build togetherness. ✨