The Everyday

It’s morning, the alarm clock sounds, and I jolt awake. I slap the snooze button and lie there for a moment, desperate for a few more minutes of sleep.

Somewhere else in the world, a woman is awoken by the sound of missiles soaring above, people yelling, shots of gunfire whistling by, and children screaming.  

In another part of the world, a woman arises to the sound of roosters crowing. She lies there on a woven mat, surrounded by 14 or 15 people. Her floors are made of dirt, but she is proud of them. It is a privilege to have a roof over her head, a privilege that is not afforded by everyone.

Normal, reality, and the everyday. This is something that has a drastically different meaning for everyone. What is an expectation for one person, for another, may be unimaginable. And then, within a moment’s notice, we might find ourselves in a different reality entirely.

Although we share the same world, no two people will travel through it in the same way.

The place we are born, the family we are born into, and the culture that surrounds us all shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Although our choices may influence our reality, not everything is within our control. We are often affected by the choices made by the people around us.

The people we surround ourselves with influence our beliefs, habits, dreams, and expectations. Friends, mentors, teachers, and even strangers can introduce ideas to us that could alter the entire course of our lives. In just a moment, a single conversation or word of encouragement could lead someone to an opportunity they might not have discovered on their own.

With this in mind, we must also consider that timing is of the utmost importance. While two people may have the same talent and ambition, their lives may unfold differently due to opportunities arising at different moments.

When we are in the right place at the right time, opportunity intersects with preparation and circumstance. Many of the events that shape our lives are influenced by factors beyond our control, reminding us that success and struggle are rarely the result of effort alone.

If we recognize that each person experiences a different reality, then we will develop a greater level of empathy for the people around us.

Although we empathize, we cannot fully understand the unique challenges and opportunities that shape another person’s perspective.

When we recognize that each person’s story is molded by a complex combination of their environment, relationships, and the choices that they make, then we become less likely to judge and more willing to listen. In doing so, we will gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse realities that encompass the human experience.