The divisiveness of ‘...yes, but’

As we individually and collectively step into 2024, I believe that more than ever before, we are being asked the question(s); “who are you (we) and why are you here”?

When answering, we can take the quick and convenient approach and just respond with our name, or we can add a few descriptors such as: husband of...yes, but who are you brother of...yes, but who are you (after each descriptor add: yes but who are you?) son of, job title, religious persuasion, political affiliation, generation identifier (Boomer, GenX, Millenial, etc), degrees and awards, city/suburb dweller, home owner/renter, working/retired, caucasian/person of color, sexual orientation, liberal/conservative, typical/special needs development, walker/jogger/martial artist/kayaker, vegetarian, humanist/nihilist...the list obviously seems infinite.

It seems to me, that with each passing year, there seems to be another collection of buckets into which we place our identity which only serves (in my opinion) to separate us from one another. I am also of the opinion that there is more that is alike in us than different, and if that is so, why does there seem to be such harsh divisiveness in our world.

Again, who are you and why are you here...maybe, just maybe if we stripped away all of the earthly identities and acknowledged an identity that transcends all that, we would be able to sense and know that we are all a part of a compassionate and loving Whole...and with that knowing of Who, we can come to know the Why.

Like the Moody Blues (Justin Hayward) so beautifully sang in their 1970s song, Melancholy Man, “a beam of light will fill your head and you’ll remember what’s been said by all the good men this world’s ever known.”

Our loving planet has so patiently been waiting for us to “come home” and be about the business we came here for. I hope 2024 is a year of deep knowing for all of us.

Phillip Zbaraz

Prospect Heights