You Are Special

CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE 
THERE'S NOBODY ELSE HERE,
NO ONE LIKE ME.
I'M SPECIAL, SO SPECIAL,
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION.
GIVE IT TO ME!

(Brass in Pocket, The Pretenders)

Some people think some cultures are superior to others, while some people believe more educated people are somehow "better" than the working class. Some feel that taller men are more attractive while some think skinny women are hot. Do I need to go on? Probably not, I think you get the picture. 

For every opinion and value-judgement there is the opposing view right next to it. Yet you have to respect how you feel and it is often not that hard to figure out where your priors are coming from. Maybe you had to work hard to get your education so you now appreciate being surrounded by intellectuals. Or maybe you had to climb out of poverty and now enjoy living a rich lifestyle. Maybe your parents weren't so tall so you somehow appreciate size in your partner. Whatever it is that is meaningful to you personally, know that the perfect counter-example will likely knock on your door for that is what a spiritual path is all about.

Spirituality is really a way of seeing. Don't beat yourself up over your biases, just accept them as they are but be open to letting life teach you what else matters. The German mathematician and philosopher Leibniz once concluded, "we live in the best of all worlds". Everyone is special in our world and there is a way to make everyone fit in God's magnificent puzzle in a perfect way. And it is your job to experience how all the unique pieces fit into a wholesome impressionistic mosaic. Spirituality is perception - you see the world just as an artist does.

When parents see their child they see a diamond in the rough. And if some parents are somehow unable to see the gem then there will always be a special someone, a coach, a teacher, a soul partner, a child or mentor who does. Spirituality is seeing and it is in our power to see what God knows: you are special and perfect just the way you are.