A Big World

The worst loneliness is to stay among
those who don’t understand you.

Rumi

We don’t all look alike. Or think alike. And thank goodness for that! 

The world offers us unlimited diversity. A smorgasbord of ideas and experiences to choose from. Without diversity, there would be no expansion. We’d be stuck in place without progress, creativity, or forward momentum.

When I moved to a small town, a rule that I saw and heard ran completely counter to this notion. It was the idea that you had to look a certain way to fit in. To find a place here, in this mostly homogenous corner of the world. 

Hooey. 

It’s a rule that needed to be broken. It made no sense and went against what I’d lived and knew and had advocated for throughout my career. No two ways about it, diversity is a strength. 

The thing about rules is that oftentimes, their purpose is one of control. They’re created by people who act out of fear. Fear of the unknown, of the misunderstood, of the loss of power. 

Just imagine all the ways diversity manifests in people. Our skin color and ethnicity. How we worship. Who we love. What we think and believe. How we vote. The list goes on. 

Gender has always been a big one for me. Throughout 35 years in business, I was often the only woman at the table. My perspective was unique, and I worked extra hard to be heard and understood. Oftentimes it required going rogue with my plans and a “just trust me” attitude.

I was usually right and achieved some amazing successes through those unique approaches.  

On the local city council, I was one woman among seven men. My voice mattered. I appreciated how fellow members listened to my perspectives, which came from a different set of life experiences. As a primary caregiver, a mother, an underrepresented person. It made for more balanced, inclusive policies to move our community forward. 

Much has been written about the power of diversity and inclusion in business. It’s a key driver of higher innovation, increased profits, faster problem solving, and better customer satisfaction.

It’s impact on small town life is just as notable. Diversity is key to the long term sustainability of rural America, bringing new workforce, mainstreet businesses, young people, and much needed dollars into the economy.

They say variety is the spice of life. Diversity creates a richer life experience. It brings more options and opportunities to expand outside the lines. It creates an energy and vitality and vibrancy that you can feel to your core. 

It’s kind of like eating from the whole delicious buffet and not just the lime jello. 

For small towns to flourish, they need to embrace those who are different. It’s up to each of us to appreciate and encourage people who don’t look, sound or act like everyone else. To help them feel welcome, to stay and thrive, so they can share stories of this welcoming place with their friends and family who might just come join them. When that happens, the ball is rolling.

We don’t have to all agree. Or to look one way or another. But we do need to go easy on each other. 

Diversity is a strength, and enriches life. It gives us contrast to choose from and moves us forward. It creates better decisions. A more vibrant community. It calls us to love and not fear. 

And to celebrate those who are brave enough to be different in small town America. 

The world is big enough for us all. Wherever you are, you’re exactly where you should be.