![black-and-white-triangular-skyscraper-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeFSfiy4Ke12XL9kxhcyzdXsAwFbSVJivdYsPazDrzSXe/black-and-white-triangular-skyscraper-freedomain.jpg) _______

In the era of social media echo chambers

where people associate mainly with those that think the same way, have we forgotten that all human beings have innate value, and are all worthy of love and respect? ___

Even when we strongly disagree with them?

________ ![indian-boys-with-hats-looking-opposite-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZzyLgVFXKa4LUDpuAeSZ1j8W5faHuqK5amc6ktrbFHGK/indian-boys-with-hats-looking-opposite-freedomain.jpg) *We all have unique perspectives & see the world from different angles* _____

It is not possible for people to be the same

Every individual holds a space in the cosmos that no one else can occupy. This unique position is vital to the proper operation of the universe. _______

You are only "you" because everyone else is who they are!

_______ ![dark-sillhouettes-red-orange-sky-yellow-sun-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRu7YY2yXUVb257nwcviWciCtDsDckqWLU3xw1Rt8HAHH/dark-sillhouettes-red-orange-sky-yellow-sun-freedomain.jpg) *We often perceive others as the shadows of what they truly are* ___________

People are more complex & beautiful than what we see

from the outside, looking in. We are only seeing the tiniest fragment, the most superficial layer when we quickly categorize & judge others. ________

People have hidden depth that we are often unwilling to admit

_____ ![clasped-hands-three-people-brown-skin-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRo3CGc3ezqt1Lz8eH65QB8MPpf3tF4BGSSC8ocpnAZTP/clasped-hands-three-people-brown-skin-freedomain.jpg) ______

Life is not an ego struggle for survival

so much as a symbiosis between distinct elements. This means that people that we think work against us are actually our collaborators! ______

The big picture of the universe is co-operation

____ ![mma-fighter-cage-tattoo-beard-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmYv4q39VBXKTH1Js3QzrMxTiBt54V5RwBauQtPMDuGCzL/mma-fighter-cage-tattoo-beard-freedomain.jpg) __________

What about "Enemies?"

We are bound to encounter those we don't like, and even those who desire to do us harm. The most powerful thing you can do to is cultivate respect, forgiveness, and even love for these individuals. _____

We can learn to respect even those who hate us

_____ ![black-male-straight-face-black-and-white-photo-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW5hFd1GoC78SVWmGGCFumxeGyEpnwKkjby2TV1FiriRo/black-male-straight-face-black-and-white-photo-freedomain.jpg) ___________

We can do what is necessary without violence

We can take steps to protect ourselves and others without allowing things to escalate into animalistic passion. We are human beings, capable of using wisdom and discernment to make tough decisions, out of love. __________ ![market-bazaar-sunset-smoke-people-freedomain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRwyDuXRB1wY3GAeyMCPtAMjkbcuKYCVSEQ3RXsMStkjg/market-bazaar-sunset-smoke-people-freedomain.jpg) ________

We have more in common than we think

If we focus on our similarities, we find that we all share the same basic human condition. The differences are not as huge as we are led to believe. ______

Everyone laughs, cries, and experiences both joy and pain.

____ ![IMG_3013.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmetyELRqg5M6vvAA6kWi9SFY1PbcWihVJzG23YTXK6ibe/IMG_3013.jpg) _______

It is simple to make the world a better place to live

Through the daily practice of compassion, we can relax our egos and cultivate basic respect for all people. We may even learn to like them as we discover they are not so different from us after all. _______ ![IMG_3025.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmafmqDtgXteeR3YSQhdz4bU8ASJxUdS3HFyxPd2jEvnX5/IMG_3025.jpg) _________

Wholeness, @d-pend

___________ **Article written by Daniel Pendergraft (@d-pend)** *All pictures used are public domain, except* the last three, taken during my trip to India ________________ ![IMG_3075.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVBuHiHq3eyQmhGQ4CuuX6BxMGo5GDywUz3rN7PkmW13Z/IMG_3075.jpg) ________ *Are you able to get along with people that are quite different from you? Please share your experience with me, if you'd like :)* _______

philosophy-trail