Over the past few decades, “cultural diversity” has been a phrase adopted and thrown around by the masses, but what does it really mean?

Seriously, if you search that phrase on Google, nearly every article is about cultural diversity in the workplace.  One would think that the only value of cultural diversity had to do with improving company profits.

Or learning how to “play nicely” with others from different backgrounds or cultures when you’re at work – and embracing its value because it’s the “thing to do.”

Cultural Diversity beyond the Workplace

Taking a deeper look, when we choose to view the world through a new lens (with a 24/7 mindset) – one that embraces and celebrates our differences – we begin to truly understand the “oneness” of all people.  The concept sinks in and becomes a part of our very being.

Being curious, respectful and appreciative of other ethnicities, religious beliefs, politic affiliations, gender identification, and other differences adds immeasurable value to our lives when we are open to widening our scope of understanding.

Learning about and appreciating our differences does not mean that we need to adopt others’ beliefs, attitudes, affiliations, or cultural differences.

It simply expands our base of knowledge, stimulates thinking about our own culture and beliefs, and heightens our awareness.

Common Challenges

Here are some common reasons that embracing cultural diversity seems to be challenging for many people:

• Fearing the “unknown” – people, things, and experiences that are new and different
• Assuming people who are culturally different may try to convert you to adopt their views, beliefs or attitudes
• Being brought up in an environment in which respect for cultural differences was discouraged
• Feeling safer with experiences that fall within your typical comfort zone
• Approaching the idea from a place of “ego” and viewing others who are perhaps very different as inferior

It’s natural to be where we are based on our history and where our individual paths have led us thus far.

So you have a choice.  Do you really want to stay right where you are?

Or do you want to learn and grow and expand your understanding beyond your current realm of experience?

If you choose to embrace growth, become insatiably curious.  Explore.  Discover.  Engulf yourself in new adventures with a new lens of the world through different people, places, and experiences.

This will lead to a higher level of understanding about yourself and where you fit into the larger universal picture.

But if you’re not used to the idea of exploring beyond the people you typically experience, where do you start?

A Few Simple Ways to Begin Your Exploration

It can be easiest to begin your cultural diversity journey “behind the scenes,” by learning about other groups and cultures on your own at first, before connecting with individuals from cultures that are new to you.

In this way, you can get a feel for cultural differences and let those ideas sink in.  It also gives you some conversation material, as you can mention something you’ve seen or read as a spring board for dialogue about it.

You can learn a lot about different cultures most simply through their art and their food.

• Watch foreign or independent films about other cultures. Independent films are often character-driven and offer insights about how people within a culture interrelate, what their cultural priorities are, and ways of speaking.  You can find films about other ethnicities, as well as political affiliations, religious beliefs, gender identification, and other groups.
• Watching documentaries about a given culture or group can offer information about its history, beliefs, challenges, music, politics, and more.
• Similar to the above, read books about other groups and cultures.
• Learn about a culture’s food. When it comes to ethnicities, different cultures put differing emphasis on mealtimes and, often, sharing meals is a way of connecting in a meaningful way.

Next Steps

Once you’ve explored a bit on your own, start seeking out different groups to connect with.  Visit new places, even just within your community if it includes diverse populations.  Travel beyond your immediate area if opportunities to connect with diverse populations are limited in your own locale.

Or at the very least, be open-minded about meeting and conversing with new people in your everyday experiences.

Once you set an intent to explore life in this way with a new lens, you can expect the universe to bring new people into your awareness.

If you have trouble striking up conversations, bring a more extroverted friend or partner along with you and simply enjoy the conversations that unfold.

Keep in Mind

When connecting with others from different backgrounds…

• Ensure that your attitude is one of respectful curiosity and not judgement.
• Be aware of your body language and posture so that it’s open and inviting – not standoffish. (This goes for your overall energy, as well.)
• Ask questions (respectfully) and LISTEN to others’ responses with an open mind…with an intent to learn, understand, and connect.
• Ask more questions, and allow the conversation to flourish, exploring deeper topics along the way.

Just remember – we are all unique, yet we are all connected.  Truly, that’s what adds color, beauty, and intrigue to our lives.

The post Secrets to Viewing Life through a Lens of Cultural Diversity appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Friendship is a sacred bond that triumphs over all others, even love.

It is something that creates an everlasting impact on the mind and the heart.

In a way friendship is why a person can tolerate life itself.

However, what we need is true companionship not false pretenses and a plastered smile.

Those who know the meaning of true friendship are indeed fortunate.

Friendship: The Most Beautiful Gift

Friends are not those who were there in your happy times rather those who were your pillars of support during your hardest.

Friendship is not about giving solutions or even having the same point of view.

It is about listening when they feel down and heavy.

It is about being there for them and helping them relieve their burdens.

Friendship gives us an ecstatic feeling, a temporary and permanent high, with true friends by your side you feel like you can cross any obstacle.

They impart their strength to you.

They have seen you at your worst yet have decided to be with you because you mean something to them. At times you might mean everything to them.

A friend is there to laugh with you, make you smile, cherish good things, correct you, wipe your tears and most important of all, help you raise when you have fallen the deepest.

A friend is your light in the darkness. A mere shimmering flicker that can instill in you enough strength to find your way back.

It is important to acknowledge their presence in your life and show them that they mean the world to you too.

You must show that it is not one sided, just like every other relationship, this one is a two way road too.

You cannot simply expect them to put up with all your nonsense without showing gratitude.

At one point in life you are bound to regret your impulsive behavior. You will regret the hard words that came out of your mouth in the spur of the moment.

In fact friendship is the base for love. Love spawns from understanding. Love may be capable of emerging from hate but more so from friendship.

It is a sad thing to say that not all in this world will experience true friendship.

There are so many people out there who have only seen fake friends and a million facades.

They say choose your friends wisely for they can make you or break you. But it isn’t exactly like that. Sometimes only the troubled can make you realize the value of certain things. Sometimes lending a helping hand can cure you of your darkness.

A true friend will be there when you want to give up, encouraging you relentlessly as if it were their own dreams. They will keep shouting your name, keep giving you energy, keep reminding you of the reason you started, keep reminding you of the insurmountable strength within you and most of all keep picking you up every time you fall.

For those who haven’t yet experienced the pleasure of having real friends don’t worry the best of them are waiting for you, it’s only a matter of time before you meet someone genuine.

In the eyes of commoners and young children, friendship stands for sharing secrets and keeping them. They think that friendship is just about having silly moments. But no, friendship is about understanding the plight of the other and relating to their condition. It is about giving them a reason to look past the struggles and move on.

You will most definitely learn precious lessons.

Sometimes the easy way, sometimes the hard way.

You not only support the other person but yourself as well.

There is a tonne of personal growth that happens in a friendship.

They tell you when you are doing something wrong, they tell you when you should be doing something else and of course encourage you when you are on the right path.

It is not something that you measure by the number of days you have known each other, rather how their presence has an impact on you. And the meaning of their absence. Of how you would be without your friend.

Despite distance, friends stay connected. One soul in two different minds. Friendship is eternally infinite, it knows no bounds. Not gender, not age, not language, not ethnicity, not money, not religion, nothing really matters in friendship.

Cheers to all the jubilant friendships that have been made. And the tender ones that are blossoming into everlasting ones.

We smile, we cry, we laugh. And we make friends.

The post Friendship: The Most Beautiful Gift One Can Give To Another appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

Studies have been performed that indicate in today’s modern society, many people who are considered to be highly intelligent prefer to be alone. The reasons behind this theory have to do with how our ancestors solved problems. Centuries ago, people worked together to solve problems. The “two heads are better than one” concept worked well since more heads meant more ideas and working together made things easier. Today, through evolution and the influx of technology, these concepts are somewhat outdated.

Science Explains Why Very Intelligent People Prefer To Be Alone

Embracing the Law of Attraction

Some believe the Law of Attraction plays a great role in what you experience in life. If you set your mind to do something and fully believe you can, then more often than not, you will find a way to achieve your goal. Positive thinking (coupled with positive action) can help you accomplish or attract almost anything you desire. Relay those goals to a friend or group of friends and it only takes one to say “You can’t do that!” to throw a wrench in your plans. Negativity feeds negativity. For some, being alone, free from negativity and being able to maintain that positive vibe is just what they need to beat the odds.

Increased Ability to Solve Problems

Through evolution, we have developed the innate ability to solve many problems on our own. While in the past, working with a group was beneficial, the way we think now encourages us to find ways to solve problems on our own. Our education has improved. Technology is more advanced and we have access to more and more resources. This doesn’t mean we can use some help from our friends on the more difficult problems. It simply means that we can focus more completely when we work by ourselves. Now instead of the “two heads concept”, the “too many cooks stirring the pot” mentality can make a mess and slow down the problem-solving process.

Socialization Is Important

The studies that showed intelligent people often prefer to be alone, also showed that those same people socialize more often. This doesn’t necessarily mean they spend time with friends, but they get out and explore the world around them, looking for new and exciting things to do. Spending time with friends is essential for many reasons. When it comes to solving problems or finding solutions to certain questions, the higher the intelligence, the more desire to search out the answers by themselves.

Being intelligent shouldn’t mean that you are anti-social and you avoid your friends. Exploring your world and spending time with the people you enjoy allows for needed time away from the seriousness of life. It also allows you to relax and enjoy yourself without having to worry about what needs to be done or what deadline needs to be met.

It’s natural to want to spend time alone. It allows you to regain your bearings and concentrate on the important things in your life. Just remember, being alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely.  You can be alone in a crowded room. Learn to love yourself and be comfortable with who you are. You will learn to enjoy the peace and quiet.

The post Science Explains Why Very Intelligent People Prefer To Be Alone appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

There is nothing better than meeting a new person and have an instant rapport with them. It’s so rare that it’s usually an event that you remember all day and maybe even the following day. 

Human connection is one of the most important needs of every human being. Tony Robbins talks about it in his 6 Human Needs talk and Maslow also discusses in his hierarchy of needs.

But for some people, it’s hard to learn how to build rapport. For some, it seems so easy as it’s thought they are born with talent. For others, building rapport seems nearly impossible, especially if you’re an introvert.

Luckily, like so many other skills, learning how to build rapport is something that you can acquire to start building an instant connection when you meet new people.

How to Build Rapport

Ask yourself, when you meet someone new, what do you tend to task them as your first question? If you’re like most people, you tend to have a few questions that are you stand by, go-to type questions.

Questions like …

• “Where are you from? “
• “What type of work do you do?”
• “Do you have kids?”

While those are how most people start a conversation with a new person, often times it’s what you don’t say that actually matters. While words may seem like a huge deal, your nonverbal language is much more important.

Some studies have found that only 7% of how humans communicate is verbal and the other 93% is your nonverbal language! That means that your body language and energy is significantly more important than anything you actually say out loud.

Here’s how you can master the 93% with the mirror method.

Mirror Method

Humans gravitate to what is familiar. That’s why people often associate with other people that they are like, it’s human nature. The next time you’re in a social situation or at an event, try the mirror method.

If someone is talking loud or with their hands, match them. If they are talking quiet or kind of shy, mirror them as well. You can even use the mirror method with touch. Or if they shake hands and put a hand on your shoulder, match them.

In fact, mirror as much as you can at the beginning. This could be posture, tempo, tone, and even facial expressions. Now, don’t make it super obvious but try to do match them whenever you can.

Why It Works

This may feel awkward to some of you reading this but the mirror method is something I learned at a Tony Robbins seminar and it 100% works. When someone acts, walks, and talks like you, you more likely to like them.

And it works! Politicians are notorious for doing this. If they have an event in a rural state they will dress very differently than if they’re in Manhattan.

I was also taught to do this mirror trick when meeting clients for lunch. If they order the salad, so do I. Eventually the other person will be to even mirror you! This can leave people with a positive and lasting impression of you for the future.

I know it sounds crazy, but it works. Employ the mirror technique the next time you want to build a connection with someone and you will learn how to build rapport almost immediately.

The post How To Build Rapport and Make Instant Connections With Great People appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.