My creativity is not your creativity. Fortunately, we each have our itches to scratch. Yet one of the most difficult lessons to learn in life involves appreciating difference and diversity.
We find endless excuses to celebrate and appreciate creativity that coalesces with our own allegiances and preferences. The color pink, for example, is a big deal among the three little ladies in the castle. Earlier today, Prophet asked me, "Is is true that your favorite color is bla-a-ack?"
"Yes, my favorite color is black," I affirmed, as Prophet collapsed into a fit of giggles and Little B. launched into an extended "ewwwwwww" sound. Only Gnome sat silently, watching and waiting for the excitement to die down so she could come up and tell me, "Mommy, I don't think it's bad that your favorite color is black."
Maybe she feels the need to tell me this because, when she colors, Prophet and Little B. are the judges who declare her colorings "not pink enough". For whatever reason, Gnome dares to self-describe as a lover of the color orange. No yuk-yuk sounds stand between Gnome and her favorite color. Yet she never finds ugly things to say about the color pink, regardless of how many times it has been used against her.
The microcosm of the household reflects the challenges in the macrocosm of the world. Those who can appreciate the colors and creativities of others are in a better position to enjoy more of life- and to feel less threatened by those who enjoy it differently. On the other hand, those who need to validate their preferences against others will find themselves constantly at war with anyone who dares to be different.
I look forward to the day when Prophet and Little B. tone down their holy-terror-of-pink and evolve into a more gentle appreciation for the rainbows. The world is far too beautiful to miss....
