better world | David M Masters

Shifting from Exclusivity to Inclusivity for a Better World.

The world would be a much better place if we could transition from a mindset of exclusivity to one of inclusivity. This shift involves moving away from the notion that everyone must think alike to belong and instead embracing the idea that we are all similar in many ways. Celebrating each other’s individuality and recognizing that we are all doing our best with what we have can foster a more compassionate and understanding society.

The Dangers of Exclusivity

Exclusivity thrives on the separation of individuals, often achieved through teaching and perpetuating hatred. This has never been more apparent than in today’s world. When the powers that be aim to keep us polarized and divided, their plan has succeeded, and we see the results all around us.

Consider any polarizing topic—human rights, abortion, political figures, dietary choices, global warming, or even flat earth theories. These subjects drive wedges between us, keeping us entrenched in conflict rather than fostering unconditional love and understanding.

The Power of Inclusivity

Inclusivity, on the other hand, encourages us to look beyond our differences and find common ground. It allows us to celebrate diversity and see it as a strength rather than a weakness. We can create a more harmonious and supportive world by shifting our focus from what separates us to what unites us.

The journey to inclusivity is not without its challenges. Along the way, we have developed many habits and beliefs that once served us but now hinder our progress. However, as we grow older and wiser, we can recognize these manipulations that have been subliminally forced upon us and choose a different path.

Evolving Through Unconditional Love

The ultimate goal is to evolve and expand the power of unconditional love. This means choosing to love and accept others despite our differences and striving to understand and support one another. By doing so, we can break free from the divisions that have been imposed upon us and work towards a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Unconditional love is a powerful force that transcends all boundaries. It allows us to see the humanity in each other and to recognize that we are all in this together. When we choose to love unconditionally, we reject the narratives of hatred and division and embrace a future where everyone is valued and respected.

Here are some practical ideas and steps to help you start making minor changes to move from exclusivity to inclusivity:

1. Self-Education and Awareness

Read and Research: Educate yourself about different cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Books, articles, documentaries, and podcasts are excellent resources.

Reflect on Biases: Identify and reflect on your own biases and prejudices. Awareness is the first step toward change.

2. Engage in Open Conversations

Listen Actively: Engage in conversations with people who have different perspectives. Listen more than you speak and try to understand their viewpoints.

Ask Questions: Show genuine curiosity and ask questions to learn about others’ experiences and perspectives.

3. Expand Your Social Circle

Meet Diverse People: Make an effort to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Attend cultural events, join diverse groups, and participate in community activities.

Invite Inclusivity: Include people from different backgrounds in your social and professional circles.

4. Practice Empathy and Compassion

Put Yourself in Others’ Shoes: Try to understand the experiences and struggles of others. This can help you develop greater empathy and compassion.

Show Kindness: Small acts of kindness can go a long way in making others feel included and valued.

5. Challenge Stereotypes and Prejudices

Speak up: When you hear someone making a prejudiced remark or perpetuating a stereotype, politely challenge them and educate them on the impact of their words.

Be a Role Model: Demonstrate inclusive behavior in your actions and words, inspiring others to follow suit.

6. Create Inclusive Environments

In Your Workplace: Advocate for inclusive policies and practices. Support diversity training and initiatives.

In Your Community: Volunteer for organizations that promote inclusivity and support marginalized groups.

7. Celebrate Diversity

Recognize Cultural Holidays: Celebrate and acknowledge cultural holidays and events from different communities.

Share Stories: Share and amplify stories from diverse voices to highlight the beauty of different experiences and backgrounds.

8. Reflect and Adjust

Regular Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions and attitudes toward inclusivity. Identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments.

Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from people around you on how inclusive you are and how to improve.

9. Promote Inclusive Media

Consume Diverse Media: Support and consume media that promotes diverse voices and stories.

Share Inclusive Content: Share content that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity on social media platforms.

10. Educate the Next Generation

Teach Inclusivity: If you have children or influence over young people, teach them the value of inclusivity and diversity from an early age.

Lead by Example: Children often mimic the behavior of adults. Be a role model for inclusive behavior.

Implementation Strategy

Set Small Goals: Start with small, manageable goals. For example, aim to learn about one new culture each month or have a meaningful conversation with someone from a different background each week.

Create a Plan: Develop a plan for incorporating these steps into your daily life—for example, schedule time each week for self-education or attending diverse events.

Track Your Progress: Keep a journal to track your progress and reflect on your experiences. Note the positive changes and areas where you still need to grow.

Stay Committed: Inclusivity is an ongoing process. Stay committed to making these changes and seek new ways to be inclusive.
By integrating these steps into your daily life, you can start making small changes that will contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Shifting from exclusivity to inclusivity is a transformative process that requires effort and commitment. It challenges us to let go of old habits and beliefs and to embrace a new way of thinking and being. But the rewards are immense—a world where everyone is accepted, valued, and loved for who they are. By making this shift, we can create a better, more inclusive world for ourselves and future generations.

That Moment When Everything is Perfect

Then there is that moment in time when everything is perfect. Everything in life, the world, the universe is in perfect harmony. Sure, there could be things going on that appear to be bad, even evil, other things that don’t make sense and you wish you had access to more information. You could be surrounded by uncertainty, dysfunction, and chaos everywhere you look, but In this sacred moment, everything is perfect.

I experienced such a moment when my latest granddaughter was born.

Even though the world had not changed. There was no pervasive love vibration amongst all peoples, no worldwide peace, no curtailment of the powerful trying to control and manipulate the less powerful, and people were still killing each other in the name of their country or what they believed in, still, there I was in this brilliant moment of sanctity.

I knew that everything was fine, even more than fine, I was able to sense a sacred harmony and balance is all things, in that moment when my granddaughter arrived on planet Earth.

Here she was, fresh from the other side, when moments ago when held in her hands and being the knowingness of all things. She chose to live a life journey in the arms of my daughter and son-in-law. And I am blessed that she chose me to be her Papa.

As I was high on all the biological chemistry taking place, everything was so sacredly impressive and for a while, I was able to see and feel that there was a sacred harmony in all things. Everything, even the injustices, and horrible things made sense to me, because of this. This is what life is all about.

It’s about creation and the willingness to go through the process to live, love, learn, share, and create, while experiencing a wide emotional range, sampling all this life has to offer.

How exciting for my daughter and her husband to be starting this new chapter in their life together?

How much more exciting for my new granddaughter, who is starting her fresh, new journey, with a blank slate? I love her so much, more than words can express, and I barely know her.

(She has my DNA in her mix. I hope my contribution is a blessing for her, her parents, and families to come.)

How will her journey unfold?

I can’t wait to see what happens next!

It’s moments, like these, that make me want to live a thousand years or more. I am so fascinated by being able to see all the possible paths those whom I care deeply about have chosen as their method of experiencing everything this life has to offer.

I don’t want to miss a thing.

I believe this world has a bright and sunny future, and I will do what I can to encourage others to raise the bar for all the grandchildren in all the world.

One man cannot do it all, but all the grandparents in all the world, if we all could just do just one thing for a better world for our grandchildren, the world will change dramatically, for them.

Here comes the sun…

Ch ch ch Changes

I tend to get excited when I see people changing, reaching out and experiencing new life.

In the last few weeks, I’ve noticed trends in the changes expansion explorers are making in their lives who are making the world a better place. If you’re on a similar journey, you may find yourself:

You are okay with who you are and don’t have anything to prove to anyone else. You can be honest and open about who you are, where you have been and where you are going. You have a sense peace of your own personage and have no need to misrepresent yourself on social media or among friends or relatives. In comparison others with low self esteem feel compelled to create false identities, boast, consider themselves better than those less fortunate, or put other people down. These folks can actually begin to lose touch with reality. On the other hand, you are content with yourself and find your place within the world without having to participate in false witness of self.

You are finding more ways to feel and express gratitude as you are more appreciative of the simple things, and thankful each new day, for the people who are in our life, the opportunities that reveal themselves to you, and where you live. You experience an increasing sense of joy about the things in your life and the life that you live.

You are concerned less with the dark unknown of a foreboding future, while others are more apt to spend a great deal of time worrying about what may happen. You are finding more ways to live in the present, in the moment we call, “now.” You are not afraid of what the future holds. You don’t take the idea to the extreme, by doing nothing. Instead you make plans for a better future and take action to build a momentum leading to a better tomorrow and an increasingly better world.

You don’t feel a need or concern about what is outside of your control and accept responsibility for controlling what you can and the rest go.

After all, life is what it is, stuff happens, and we’re all doing the best we can with what we have,

Instead of dreading what may be luring in the wings, you find yourself anticipating good things, and as you do you find more joyous surprises and opportunities appearing in your life.

You’re more likely to take a risk to do something good, help make your local community a better place or even the world. If your initial efforts are not successful, you are not dissuaded and ready yourself for another attempt to make the world a better place.

You are more gentle and kind than you may have been before. You are more empathetic and able to see things from the perspective of others, are able to imagine what it might be like to be wearing someone else’s shoes, or even to have lived their life. And you are more inclined to offer to lend a helping hand to others in need.

You are more inclusive in your approach to life and are more often inclined to say, “Yes,” to new ideas and new opportunities. If you do not have the inclination to get out more, or huddle up on the sofa or plugged into the Internet, you might try spreading your wings and getting out to attend a meeting just to change up your exposure in your environment, you are finding new ways to integrate or participate by exploring new activities in unfamiliar locations. You may be surprised at how fun this can be, plus you’ll make new connections which can be extremely beneficial.

Interconnection with other people takes on new meaning as you are moving away from the need to defend yourself and exit the struggle for survival in favor of allowing yourself to flow. This enables you to have more meaningful relationships with others as love continues to grow and flow. This new perspective makes you feel more alive and able to love and accept others, and things, the way they are.

You are in less need of the approval of others as you realize that you are not living your life for their approval. You are less attracted to people who are not open, honest, empathetic or genuine, as the drama queens drift away.

You find you are far less judgmental than before as you are embracing tolerance, loving others, allowing them to be, and make their own way. You find yourself less apt to judge someone based on their appearance, the car they drive, the shoes they wear, or their facebook photo as the ability to see each individual’s innate beauty becomes more apparent.

You are no longer looking for a fight, to defend what you believe or force someone to prove their position on anything they feel is important, without disconnecting. You see the value in everyone’s need to believe. realize that all journeys are different, and honor their right to believe whatever it is in whatever way they need to.

Even when you get caught up in the rat race, which is easy to do, you become more and more able to step back, look at things from a new perspective and trade anxiety for a sense of peace.

You find yourself living a better life without regret or having to compare your life to anyone else’s. You are living a life of love and in this livingness you realize that you have found your genuine freedom and you are free indeed.

Just as you are less judgmental of others, you are finding that you are less likely to judge yourself too harshly. We all fall short, make mistakes and it’s okay, all part of the journey. Often what we learn from our missteps is far more valuable than we can see amidst our loss of balance… and we can keep moving forward, not allowing it to throw us out of the dance. We make it part of the routine.

You Spend resources (finances and time) more on experiences and less on material items. You are not dependent on adorning yourself with flashy, high fashion garments or baubles, nor are you easily impressed by compliments from competitive or jealous peers, rather you have a higher level of self esteem and would rather spend your resources on priceless experiences that create memories which could never be bought, sold or traded and are invaluable in comparison to materialistic pursuits.

Your dreams are taking on a new flavor as you realize that they need not be held afar off, out of reach, as you begin to reel them in for a closer look. You can now refine your dreams and choose to allow them to appear in this world, if you so desire. It may (or may not) be easy, but you are ready to take the action necessary to see our dreams come true.

You realize life is not a race and you allow yourself wiggle room along the way, giving yourself permission to take a sabbatical and reconnect whenever prudent, necessary, just to take a break or for the fun of it.

You are less likely to take things personally. You are no longer controlled, victimized or haunted by your past. You are now able to see your life ’til now, more as if you were reading an exciting novel, with all the good times, the bad and the unexpected plot twists, which make it all the more exciting.