What a title huh?
Well, I have experienced living in another culture before now. I moved to Los Angeles in the early 80's and lived there for 11 years. At the time, I was certain that American culture wasn't any different than Canadian culture. It was just a matter of a simple relocation in space and I could carry on. In fact, most of the world is unable to tell the difference between Canadians and Americans at first glance. Until, of course, they have a personal experience with a Canadian and an American. None of the differences between these cultures is bad. They are what makes them unique.
To my surprise, American culture was vastly different. And, because I didn't expect a difference, it affected me even more. Eventually, I got over those differences and began to understand them. Once I broke through the cultural differences, I could operate more freely. I wasn't preoccupied with my culture shock but it was something I was dealing with.
Once again, I have experienced being immersed in a different culture by living and working in Kenya. To be honest, I don't think you can really say you have lived here on Earth until you have experienced other cultures in this manner. Flying off to a far away land, looking at the whole place like a spectator or tourist, and then flying back home to your own culture is not truly experiencing another culture. Although it is better than sitting back and watching a TV documentary, it is not anywhere near the same as living and working in the culture itself and dealing with the people who have been brought up in that culture.
It takes time and much communication and familiarity with another culture to truly understand it. At least this is my experience. As my understanding grows, I feel a greater freedom. I feel a higher level of connection with humankind and what is similar among us. It is what is similar that is more fascinating than what is different. For me, seeing through the differences or beyond them, opens up how similar we truly are. How we deal with relationships, problems and search for freedom and aesthetics.
At first the differences are many and it is fun and interesting and fascinating to recognize them and compare. It makes the world a rich place to be. Once those are seen and understood, what is interesting and fascinating becomes what is similar to all of us as human beings. How our purposes in life are actually aligned and not fragmented. All of us have dreams that move us forward. All of us want happiness and freedom and to experience an aesthetic, joyful life.
Yes, I am philosophizing! Sometimes I can't help it.
I encourage all of you to embrace your planet and go live and work in another culture. If every person on this planet did such, the world would most definitely be a better place. And when you look into another person's eyes you will start to see all of humankind there in addition to that very unique person. Life is fascinating. Enjoy!
