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.

Our conflicts and false judgments about others often occur because of our surety that we have the whole story, and a wider perspective simply couldn’t be possible. Yet how many times as a child did you learn a piece of information, only to find out that this was just the tip of the iceberg?

For instance, when many of us were growing up, we learned that Pluto was a planet. Later we found out it was actually a small chunk of frozen rock that has less in common with the other 8 planets than it does with the objects surrounding it in the Kuiper Belt. It was relabeled a ‘dwarf planet’.

What happened in the scientific community to garner Pluto these two divergent labels? Take a listen as famed life coach, engineer, and motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das explains…

NEVER JUDGE OTHERS, YOU DON’T KNOW THEIR STORY! by Gaur Gopal Das

Technically Correct | Never Judge

To see the obvious, to see what is visible means you utilize what you already know to be true to evaluate a situation. Using the example of Pluto, scientists began to recognize upon its discovery in 1930 that it didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the planets: it was much, much smaller, had a greater elliptical orbit, and was not formed in the same manner. Yet, it was also a round object circling the Sun, so what else could it possibly be but a planet?

When we have limited information available about others, forming a few ideas and opinions about them based on that data is natural. This gives us a solid base on which to build our understanding of those who reside in the Universe with us. This is called using good judgment.

Practically Correct | Never Judge

Forming a basic understanding about a person or situation is a great place to start. Yet just as you wouldn’t build a foundation for your house and then stop and declare it finished, it’s also not a good idea to believe your understanding of another person is complete based on some key information that you’ve discovered about them. When we take one piece of information out of the context of a person’s entire life, it leads to misunderstandings. This can also lead to being judgmental about that person.

To see beyond the obvious, to see what is hidden or invisible means that we look for information that we do not yet know to determine the reasons behind why a person or situation is the way it is.

In the case of Pluto, scientists kept digging and discovered an entire belt of similar bodies floating up in space around the frozen rock, acting just like it. As it turned out Pluto didn’t have a lot in common with the other 8 planets in our solar system – but it did have a whole family of thousands who it resembled immensely.

“It used to be said that Pluto was a misfit. But now we know…this is the most populous class of planet in our solar system.” – Alan Stern, New Horizons Mission Principal Investigator

Bridging the Gap | Never Judge

How do you go about using good judgment without descending into a judgmental attitude that cuts off growth and expansion? Meeting at a place of understanding is possible. When conflict is viewed as an opportunity to both teach and learn, rather than just a chance to teach, this opens up the conversation to new possibilities.

Here are a few tips to help you bridge that gap.

Recognize the Signs | Never Judge

When 2 people are going round and round in a conflict like a broken record, yet are doing so using authentic facts and experiences, this is often a sign that both are right on some level. If you sense that the aim isn’t to attack but instead to inform, this is a great time to take a step back and consider the other side of the story.

Another situation that occurs a lot is when you hear a piece of gossip. It shows up as an opinion about someone that’s backed up by one or two details. The aim isn’t to solve a relationship issue but to sully a reputation. If you notice this scenario, it can be good to consider the possibility that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

Ask Some ‘Discovery’ Questions | Never Judge

There’s a great book that you may have heard of that is called The Five Love Languages. In it, author Gary Chapman directs people to discover their emotional love language by asking some key questions about themselves. Similarly, it can be good to do this when you are trying to make a decision involving a conflict or a certain point of view.

What can I do that will allow me to expand my mind and think outside the box? This is about considering the possibility of changing your perspective. Asking this of yourself opens you up to the opportunity of learning something new. Now you’re ready to step forward into greater understanding.

Can you help me understand why you think that way? I’m curious to find out more. Asking this of another person helps diffuse ego thinking, which says ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’. It allows them to give you a more detailed explanation of their perspective, which can sometimes lead to an ‘aha’ moment. This question can also help them relax and be more open to your way of thinking as well.

Be a Student of Life | Never Judge

By continually learning and growing your knowledge-base, you expand your worldview to be more inclusive of other ideas. This leads to better resolutions to controversial issues because you’re training the ‘executive center’ of your brain. This is the section of your mind involved in making big picture decisions that help bridge in all different viewpoints.

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to have very positive effects on the executive center of your brain. Listening to this tranquil and soothing ‘open to change’ meditation is a wonderful way to relax and expand your mind:

Open to Change (Music for Meditation, Relaxation, Sleep, Spa, Massage, Yoga, Children)

The post This Is Why You Should Never Judge Someone If You Don’t Know Their Story appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.

What is your personal measure of success? For some it is trophies & titles or wealth & possessions and then some would say inner peace & happiness. Whatever your ideal is, there are times we stray off course and feel defeated. These 5 Signs You’re Successful In Life are a timely reminder for anyone to remember that despite our current progress or setbacks we’ve endured, success comes in many forms.

“A setback is a setup for a comeback.” – T.D. Jakes

1. You Have Not Given Up On Your Dreams

Even if you haven’t achieved them yet. You are still striving towards your dreams you are not among the meek that have given up and settled for a lesser life. Most people give up and stop chasing, the fact that you haven’t is a great sign. Even if you’ve had a major setback or had to start all over again. You are ahead of the majority just by sticking with it, your tenacity will be rewarded. Most people that achieved major success did so later in life. Jeff Bezos (now the richest man in the world) launched Amazon at 31, Vera Wang entered the fashion industry aged 40, Ray Kroc bought McDonalds at 52, Anna Moses began her prolific painting career at 78 (she was a housekeeper previously) one of her paintings recently sold for $1,200,000. These are just a few examples, anything is possible, you just have to be crazy enough to keep believing in your dream.

2. You’re Alive & Healthy

Try and visualize how many people are laying in hospital right now struggling for breath praying to have the health you have right now, they would offer anything, all the money in the world to swap places with you. Health is the foundation for success, with health you can literally achieve anything you set your mind to. Remind yourself how lucky you are, you’ve survived everything life has thrown at you and you’re still going strong. Congratulations you’re a success.

3. You Are Still Improving

Practise is the mother of skill every time we attempt something we get better at it, even if it’s not immediately noticeable, and the more we practise the better that skill becomes. So if there is something you have been trying to achieve but haven’t yet. Do not give up now, you are so much closer than when you started. “The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before the miracle happens.” Every day you improve is another victory towards success.

4. Someone Loves You

Whether this person is just a friend, a family member or your lover, having someone who cares about you and loves you is an amazing gift to possess. There are so many people that are truly alone in this world. If you have anyone genuine in your life you are blessed. Having any measure of love in your life is a sure sign of success.

5. You Have A Roof Over Your Head

We tend to focus on the super successful (the 0.10% of society) We compare ourselves to them and it makes our dreams seem so out of reach that it is completely demoralising. This is why Facebook & Instagram etc. can be counterproductive (beyond the normal procrastination they encourage). We always seems to forget that we are already in the 1% ourselves. 3.5 Billion people live on less than $2.50 a day! Think about how giant a number that is.. and yet we compare ourselves to a select few whose circumstances were much different to our own. No-one admits it but it is hard enough to cultivate a home keeping yourself and family dressed and fed, if you’re doing that then you are a great success!

Success doesn’t always have to be about money, or trophies, or titles. Sometimes, success is about how you’ve grown as a person and your journey from who you were to who you are now. Some people live their whole lives never making that journey. Sometimes you must achieve one form of success before you can achieve another. If you’re making progress towards any form of success then yes, you are successful.

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Don’t Take Anything Personally. It Isn’t Personal.

The post Don’t Take Anything Personally. It Isn’t Personal. appeared first on Fearless Soul - Inspirational Music & Life Changing Thoughts.