Our Differences

Just as it is obvious that in looking at photographs of any one hundred people or observing any group of passers-by, we are, every one of us, different in external appearance (anatomically and in our choices of clothing and grooming), so too is it obvious that in hearing others that we are different in mental and emotional and spiritual qualities and characteristics; all we have to do is open our mouths and much is revealed. These external appearances and verbal disclosures suggest to me that we are influenced by something (or some things) that has/have had an attractive influence upon us. I would like to address the latter observation (differences in mental, emotional, and spiritual qualities) just briefly today.

Every parent of more than one child—from Adam and Eve on—becomes quickly aware that the personality of each of his or her children comes with ‘the package.’ It can be molded with more or less success, but it has a core quality that gives it its uniqueness that endures. So, where did that core quality come from? Was it developed or was it bequeathed upon the infant?

Consistent with my observation in the sub-title of Omnium-Gatherum, I believe we were influenced greatly before we were ever given to our parents to nurture us to maturity. The poet Walt Whitman wrote, “Before I was born out of my mother, generations guided me” (‘From Song of Myself,’ Masterpieces of Religious Verse). This is more than what psychologists call a ‘racial’ or ‘collective unconsciousness,’ it points to an individual consciousness or preparation in a pre-mortal state.

As much as we would like to take credit for their development, parents or teachers can’t take complete credit (or blame) for the way our children turn out. Neither can we completely credit or blame the schools, our children’s peers, our socio-economic circumstances, or the opportunities our children enjoy or are deprived of. I am currently reading two books, one about B. H. Roberts, and one about Abraham Lincoln that bears this out to the tee.

I believe that in spite of nurturing or indifferent parentage or environment, some individuals arise that are truly virtuous and great and the strength of their intelligence and nobility cannot be suppressed. They are the noble and great ones, endowed, I believe from the choices and gifts developed in their spirit’s pre-mortality that we encounter from time to time who enrich our lives with their accomplishments and example.

Just as a magnet attracts the steel placed near it, so too can these ‘giants’ attract our lives if we don’t place a shield of lead between us and them. Let us open the great books, illustrated with great lives and great ideas and allow ourselves to be influenced by them. If we weren’t influenced sufficiently in our pre-mortal existence, this may be our last chance to make up for our deficiencies.