Man, you are different.

What makes you different than me? Ever noticed that when you meet someone for the first time that you focus on how you are different you are than him/her? I do that sometimes... and sometimes I look to discover what we have in common.

She is straight. He is gay. He is evangelical. She is Episcopalian. She is rich. He is poor. Gosh, the differences are so easy to spot: skin color, language, education, and religion.

Do you notice the differences? I rarely find that I dislike someone over our similarities, do you?

My experience as a Chaplain in the city hospital this summer allowed me to come into contact with thousands of people who are "different" than me. What I learned though when I was willing to be present and listen to someone is that we really are all the same. We have the same stuff going on in our souls as does the next guy.

And maybe Eistein was right when he said: "We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of compassion so we feel connected to all people and all situations."

I bet it our need for compassion that makes us the same, what do you think?