Embrace the contrast

Dear Younger Me,

Something I love about you is how you have always appreciated telling stories not only with words but images. Your eye to see what others may overlook is a gift that I am glad you lean into. 

What has been catching your attention lately? What elements have drawn you in creatively? I have grown to love framing and contrast. In framing, you choose the focal point and allow everything else to highlight the beauty of what's framed. In contrast, you allow two extreme differences to enhance the beauty of each other. 

I have always had a slight obsession with the wonders underwater. After scuba diving, this love only deepened due to the colors I’ve seen on the ocean floor that I’ve yet to see as vibrant anywhere above the surface. In the depths of the water, I have been a witness to the awe of vivid colors all living simultaneously. 

Recently, I got a small reminder of my love for aquatic life while visiting an aquarium in St. Louis. Observing the differences in size, shape and colors, which all contribute to my amazement of that ecosystem. 

I realized that not only does it captivate my attention, but it inspires me for the world I desire to live in. Desire to be different. Differences that highlight and value the beauty of not only yourself but of others. Desire for appreciation. Appreciation that recognizes the picture is better because of dynamics. Desire to be confident. I bring a unique set of strengths and so does my neighbor but how beautiful to operate the way we are designed. 

When you think of aquatic life what do you think of? Maybe an octopus, dolphin, clown fish, pufferfish, shrimp, orcas, turtles, jelly fish or you name it? All are specific species that couldn’t fit the mold of another. They all exist in the same space. All have different shapes and colors. They don’t seem to mind and are unbothered by the differences they have. I am a girl who will drive across the country to see a sea turtle in its natural habitat, but if the whole ocean consisted of just turtles I would be sad. I would miss the diversity. I would grieve how the orange in one fish or the vibrant purple in another make the turtle stand out as it glides past. 

I think of how I’ve experienced this above the surface. Relationships are where I’ve experienced the most growth. When I look at my different relationships, I see a variety of individuals with different strengths, unique interests, a spectrum of beliefs and wonderfully strong characters/personalities. I surround myself in environments where I am forced to consider different perspectives. It brings me joy when I find myself in a conversation where we may see something differently yet share mutual respect/desire to get a glimpse of what the other sees. 

I can point to how everyone in my life has helped me grow in this way at one point or another. There is an incredible friend in Germany, Sophie, who has cemented this for me. When living in Europe, I would visit her for a weekend at a time and find ourselves talking from when I arrived up until departure. I will forever cherish each of these conversations.

Currently, I think of sitting at a café eating flammkuchen as she asked a controversial question to me as an American, “What are your thoughts on abortion and the government's involvement?” This conversation marked me though it was an extremely uncomfortable discussion for me personally. We both came to the conversation with our world views and put them on the table. It wasn’t her or I convincing the other of why one belief was right or wrong. It became a space for us to dig within ourselves to see why we believed what we believed while stepping back to see different perspectives and gain understanding. Since, she has challenged me to grow in a wide variety of areas in an environment that allows us to have different backgrounds and be unique individuals. My only regret in this relationship is not living closer to have more conversations and weekends spent together where our different perspectives challenge me to grow. (Side note: her personality is also one in a million from intentionality to also being hilarious- just loads of respect and appreciation for all aspects of her as a friend) I left that day and each weekend spent with her better because she brought perspectives that contrasted in aspects to mine yet we would find out we had the same big picture that we were viewing- we just had entered from different angles. 

I hope you take the time to appreciate, respect and celebrate the differences of those living around you. I hope you notice how the differences aren’t wrong, but are simply different, allowing you to grow in perspectives, understanding and compassion for others. I hope the contrasts highlight the beauty within each other. 

Are you captivated/open or fearful to differences? Why? There’s not a right or wrong answer. I have experienced a variety of responses to that question alone. I just hope you feel encouraged and challenged to start by embracing questions that allow you to learn about who you are and  why you believe what you believe. 

Would you take a moment the next time you notice contrast in your surroundings to recognize the beauty in both elements? 

With Love,

Older You