All people are created equal and deserve equal opportunities to live fulfilling lives, free from impediments imposed by others.
This principle has been championed throughout human history by our greatest thinkers & leaders to ensure balance and fulfillment. However, this has largely remained unfulfilled, particularly among the world’s most powerful nations.
Our survival as a species is increasingly threatened by global challenges, and a conversation about the critical importance of equal opportunities and inclusivity needs to be expanded now. Weak links can lead to catastrophe, and it’s essential to recognize that our interconnectedness demands a collective commitment to equality.
Many of us might think, “I already know this.” But it’s important to understand that issues such as global warming, nuclear war, terrorism, and nationalism directly impact the survival of ourselves and our loved ones. And then, even if you acknowledge this connection, ask yourself:
How much of your life is dedicated to creating equality with the disenfranchised and the planet for the sake of everyone you care about?
The danger lies in complacency and denial. We often protect our immediate circle while neglecting the broader need for equal rights and opportunities for all. The idea is to ask:
Am I truly safeguarding those I love, and how much might I be overlooking the bigger picture?
This introspection is crucial, as our instinct to prioritize ourselves and our loved ones often leads us to neglect those who are disenfranchised. The goal isn’t to vilify our natural inclinations but to shift our focus towards a greater collective responsibility. A slight change in priorities could enhance our chances for peace and diminish the wars that have plagued history.
The reason this change is so important isn’t primarily moral. It is an issue that threatens our very existence. We need to make a clear distinction between two separate realities. One, where a country, group, or individual violates equality to a degree that serious action is needed to stop them. The two World Wars, Genghis Khan’s terrible conquests, and Stalin’s actions are an example of this reality. Second, when two or more groups have significant elements of blame and need to be more honest and held accountable. The wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Palestine fall into this category.
Ignoring this is the dominant rule of the planet, as the world’s powers won’t agree on an international body that’s allowed to take action against and punish major crimes against humanity. Russia, China, and the US, three major world powers, have all refused to become members. They’re concerned their gray areas of military action could be construed as international crimes.
For example, China is concerned about how its actions and decisions regarding Tibet, Hong Kong, potential future disputes in the South China Sea, and possible conflicts involving Taiwan and the Philippines are perceived internationally. Similarly, Russia faces scrutiny over its actions in Crimea and Ukraine, with widespread concerns about further invasions. The United States also has a history of controversial involvement in Iraq, support of the Contras in Nicaragua, and the Vietnam War. Another issue is that the courts of justice cannot clearly articulate the boundaries of an international crime.
The United States has long stood as a powerful nation that embodies the principles of equality and even created it as the foundation of its Constitution. But, even from its early quest for freedom from England, the U.S. violated these ideals through actions such as the mass killing of Indigenous Americans — justified at the time by a vision of a broader principle of equality. The institution of slavery, particularly affecting African Americans, is another example of this contradiction. Despite awareness of these issues, true equality remains elusive in the United States, both historically and in contemporary society, as seen in our education system, national perspective, and efforts to address past injustices.
If you don’t think the search for equality and access to opportunities applies to you, then you’re either unaware or overly self-confident. None of us can afford to be complacent or in denial, even if we’ve spent our lives working on this principle and trying to make a difference in the world. It’s instinctive, shaped by societal conditioning, how we were raised, and our individual needs and experiences, which almost inevitably separates us from the broader human community and the planet, regardless of our backgrounds.
It can be incredibly inspiring to recognize that we all have a purpose that includes caring for ourselves and our families while also balancing a commitment to our country and the world, both of which are struggling for peace and survival. This truth applies globally as we consider countries, religions, and groups of all kinds and on a personal level as we reflect on our most private and significant thoughts about our own lives.
As a therapist and teacher for over 50 years, I’ve seen that a major source of human suffering is our tendency to remain separate from the world around us. Each of our separations is unique, and it’s up to us to ask ourselves, “How can I treat the rest of the world more equally than I have in the past?” This isn’t something we “should” do; rather, it’s something we get to do if we are among the fortunate with some extra resources. It’s an honor — a gift — to see how we can make a positive impact and, in the process, feel more connected and fulfilled. We need to see this for ourselves, and as you read this notice, if it clicks, and if it doesn’t, then see if you are motivated to keep inquiring as to whether the click is being blocked by what you have been taught your whole life. More often than not, this is what is required to have it be real for yourself.
This understanding goes beyond intellect; we often think we’ve already grasped it, yet it’s natural to view it as something we’ve already addressed or even feel resistant as if it’s a lecture or an expectation of superiority. But there’s always room for evolving, whether we recognize it or not. What’s tangible is to look at the world situation and recognize war, greed, and corruption throughout history have been normalized. One of the central root causes is the lack of a new kind of education, and there is a necessity to include caring beyond our group.
This could be starting with smaller actions, offering a warm smile to a grocery clerk, driving with consideration, or approaching business interactions with greater fairness. It might involve recognizing prejudices and challenging any biases that lead us to prioritize our own group, religion, family, country, or neighborhood over others. It can also be reflected in how we manage our energy, money, thoughts, or attitudes. It also can be reflected in the questions that we ask ourselves because we want to make our lives inspiring. It might be something like:
“How can I treat more people, especially those who need help, and the planet with more care in tangible ways—in my thoughts, feelings, and actions?”
Embracing this question could be a gift to carry for the rest of your life. You might also ask, “How can I treat others more equally than I have?” or consider, “What areas of my life most favor me and my loved ones, and how can I extend this to more people, animals, plants, or the planet?”
You may be reading this only from your intellect, and if you are, let yourself be honest about that. If it isn’t touching your heart or the wisest part of yourself, are you interested in continuing to inquire and get a glimpse of more potential?
In its truest form, equality can express integrity, love, compassion, fulfillment, or even your wisest self. So, what is the next best thought, attitude, communication, or action you can take to foster greater equality? When you really see it for yourself and feel it, you’ll experience it as a gift, not a burden, and it can become a guiding motivation each morning.
If it feels like pressure, you may be hearing it as an external authority dictating what you “should” do rather than seeing it freshly for yourself. Remember, you are the authority here. If you don’t recognize the desire or need for this within yourself, it won’t truly create benefits for you or others.
Trust in yourself as you nurture this questioning part of who you are. At first, it might feel like it’s coming from your mind or wisdom alone, and given our conditioning over millennia, it’s natural if it takes time for your feelings to align.
If you tend to neglect yourself or your family, it’s paradoxical—because, in that case, you probably need to focus on taking better care of yourself or them first. Only by nurturing yourself and your family can you realistically gain the energy to expand your care outward. This is not an unqualified “do-gooder” standard. When the priority is to treat others more equally, that includes treating yourself and your loved ones equally, too.
Some people, and you might be one of them, may not treat themselves as well as they treat others. The priority, then, could be to care for yourself and your family as kindly as you do for others. The key is, to be honest and aware of how this sense of equality can expand your life and influence those around you. When you are more self-caring, you will more naturally want to give to others as you recognize how it benefits your well-being and serves future generations, like your children, grandchildren, or others to come. This focuses on the kind of caring that is with the heart, not particularly on giving your family your money. On the other hand, without this self-care, it is unlikely that it will feel natural to reach beyond yourself.
Equality is most often an idea that we think we’ve already dealt with, but it is an endless expansion if we really are to bring it to our hearts. The key is to find this realization from within you—then it becomes real in the present and near future, lived and shared with family and friends. Inner peace is the sign it’s truly coming from you, and outer peace will naturally follow.