When I hear about diversity and inclusion, one thing that strikes my mind is our mighty nature. Mother Nature bestows us with a myriad of life lessons that teach humankind many aspects of living life with oneness and harmony. Nature is a beautiful example of diversity n inclusion whereby different species of flora and fauna have equal space to flourish.
The more diverse the ecosystem, the more its capability to survive any calamities and disturbances as each resource of nature balances each other.
The other day I came across a beautiful quote: "In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful." These thought-provoking lines by Alice Walker emphasize that each one in this world is beautiful, lest our focus should be on living well instead of perfection. Indeed, we always look to nature for myriad life lessons. If we observe nature closely, we shall understand how silently nature keeps teaching us values that are very much relatable to every living thing.
We are all part of this diverse yet inclusive ecosystem where the culmination of differences makes the world beautiful and balanced. Inclusion requires a broader perspective of thought processes where every difference is accepted wholeheartedly and respectfully. Celebrating and sharing the strengths of each other mirrors the habitat we live.
Inclusion is a virtue that signifies strength in oneness. An inclusive world is a place where a broader perspective of life exists.
Inclusion is all about:
✓Accepting and celebrating the differences between each other.
✓ Sharing strengths and learning through each other's skills.
✓ Embracing individuality and respecting each one's existence.
✓ Empowering each other mentally and physically instills self-confidence.
There is nothing called perfect in this world. We are different in many ways but are united by a golden heart that beats in all. Our proactive behavior can make a lot of difference in understanding diversity and embodying inclusion.
Here are some ideas to help you behave inclusively toward people with disabilities:
Keep aside your assumptions:
We always define a person's structural looks with the abilities they possess. We often presume that person with disabilities could be inefficient in doing specific work. It is not a good practice to presume someone's capabilities. A person's disability may become their identity, but that doesn't define who they are.
Educate yourself and others:
We sometimes tend to make mistakes when we don't have enough knowledge or know-how about a particular disability of someone. A piece of proper knowledge helps to understand someone with a disability better. It is also essential to educate the kids about disabilities as habits and values that a child learns in early childhood are profoundly rooted and walk with them throughout life.
Seek input from a person with disabilities:
The best way to know a person is to converse with them. It is the best way to foster an inclusive environment when we know what we are expected to do to support the person with disabilities.
Empower their inner strength:
Including the person with disabilities in every activity we do, for e.g., any discussion, decision making, or choosing certain things daily, makes them confident and independent. Fostering self-confidence with inclusive behavior empowers them in many aspects.
Our nature teaches us lessons we somehow miss to understand and conceptualize our small conservative world. With distinctiveness, we grow, and we shine. Variation and inclusion is the fundamental of life that forms the basis of human existence and binds us to nature. Let's hope to mirror mother nature to make our society celebrate inclusion.
This post is a part of “International Day of Disabled Persons” blog hop hosted by Sakshi Varma – Tripleamommy in collaboration with Bookosmia.
You can read all blogposts of this #IDPD2022Bloghop here
"In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful." Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this blog. Really loved the metaphors and takeaways from nature - Inclusion taking roots early, not judging by physical attributes and more.
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing this. Oftentimes when we worry about the way the earth is being destroyed, I feel the most effective way would be to allow the earth to heal herself by leaving her alone. The elements in nature are connected and converse with each other in ways that we dont understand. I often wonder what it will take for us to be like nature in its purest form, without any conditioning or management. I would think that we will be more accepting, less judgemental, with more symbiotic relations with each other.
ReplyDeleteNature does bring to us that we can all be different and beautiful in our own ways!
ReplyDeleteWow, Meenal Sonal this is such a beautiful connection you had reflected in your post about inclusion and acceptance. Nature has always been a teacher to human beings, whether its accepting warm sunlight or the high tides of a cyclone. Its different yet unique.
ReplyDeleteWow, Meenal Sonal this is such a beautiful connection you had reflected in your post about inclusion and acceptance. Nature has always been a teacher to human beings, whether its accepting warm sunlight or the high tides of a cyclone. Its different yet unique.
ReplyDeleteDont assume the point you have come out with is complete truth. Beautifully articulated empower by boosting self confidence well said. 👍👍👍👍👍👍
ReplyDeleteYou have highlighted a very important point about why we need to pay close attention to ensuring that we be welcoming of diversity - "The more diverse the ecosystem, the more its capability to survive any calamities and disturbances as each resource of nature balances each other. "
ReplyDeleteThe more diverse the ecosystem, the more its capability to survive any calamities and disturbances as each resource of nature balances each other.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to portray inclusivity. So much to learn from our nature around us. Thanks for the beautiful blog.
Sreeparna
Truly, we humans are very much behind nature when it comes to being diverse and inclusive to others. Most of the times, being the most intellectual living thing on earth doesn't reflect on our actions and how we treat others. We could only hope for more awareness to develop into kindness to each and everyone.-MommyWithAGoal
ReplyDeleteI love the way you have connected up inclusion and nature. Indeed nature is our best guide to teach us the value of diversity and inclusion. Our very survival depends upon so many different plants, animals, soil varieties, vegetation, physical features etc working in tandem, each having its own strength. Not only is each aspect beautiful, but also each one NEEDS the others to survive and thrive. The physically and mentally abled people also need those who are otherwise to be fulfilled in their lives. By including all, we are in fact doing what's best for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteInclusion means embracing the differences and what is perfect anyways.....the beauty lies in the imperfections I feel.
ReplyDeleteI liked the core thought - "In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful". As you suggested , "Keep aside your assumptions" in other words being non-judgmental is important attitude we all need to embrace. Such Micro habits have power to steer the society toward big results !!!
ReplyDeleteI liked the core thought - "In nature, nothing is perfect, and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful". As you suggested , "Keep aside your assumptions" in other words being non-judgmental is important attitude we all need to embrace. Such Micro habits have power to steer the society toward big results !!!
ReplyDeleteAs always thoughtfully presented. I too agree to the fact that everyone is unique and beautiful in their own ways even with their imperfections. I think that is what makes us human. Being inclusive and showing empathy should be a part of our conditioning right from an early age rather than that we are only fed with stereotypes. Keep the amazing work going both of you.
ReplyDelete#Jokerophilia #ContemplationOfaJoker
i really like the title and approach of your blog. this stays with me "We are all part of this diverse yet inclusive ecosystem where the culmination of differences makes the world beautiful and balanced."
ReplyDeleteWe are all part of this diverse yet inclusive ecosystem where the culmination of differences makes the world beautiful and balanced. this is what we need everyone to believe and act upon!
ReplyDeleteYou've brought to light inspiration from Mother Nature. Indeed, when Nature is inclusive of its creations, why does humankind discriminate? Lovely post, Meenal & Sonal.
ReplyDeleteGreat you wrote about nature and acceptance.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! We as humans are one big ecosystem, we all play our part, we all rely on each other and we all need each other to survive and move forward as a species. I like how you highlight that acceptance and inclusion is really all we need to thrive.
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