Janet's Blog

Diversity--it's a big buzz word these days. All people are urged to accept anyone and everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, social status, physical ability or appearance, values, national origin, or political beliefs. I am sure that I have left some things off of this list, but you get the idea. I have no problem with diversity. Jesus implores all of us to love our neighbors as ourselves, so it's hard to argue that any people should be treated poorly just because they are different than we are. There is only one issue: I've noticed that numerous, vocal people in our American society want everyone to champion every single cause listed above, with no room for individual,  diverse beliefs. To put it more plainly, some people insist that we agree with every possible belief, value, or identity, regardless of our personal convictions about right and wrong.  Newsflash: Even though I may disagree with you abo...

All around me, it seems like people are talking about the importance of being "transparent." By this, they mean that we need to stop sharing only the good things in our lives, so we can present a more balanced picture of the struggles we all face from time to time. I understand that honesty is a fundamental value; I truly believe that honesty is still the best policy. I also understand the need to share our experiences, even the negative ones, with people who are going through the same kinds of struggles. It can be greatly comforting to hear how someone else has overcome similar challenges. It is encouraging to share common experiences with people who face the same kinds of daily battles that we do. That's why support groups flourish. When the sun is shining brightly, it's wonderful to let the light in--except when it shines in our eyes. All windows, especially the clearest and cleanest ones, benefit from blinds. Let's face it, though: none of us are sparkling...