Just Like A Rose

Cultures are set within their ways, and to the outside world anything different seems foreign, “alien,” or sometimes, according to some, “wrong.” Like a lot of things in life, people tend to think that their way is the correct way of doing things, and for those who don’t follow the same guidelines, rules, or practices, many think they are “evil” or “corrupt.” The honest question is, who are we to judge anyone’s lifestyle?

While you may not agree with or believe in the practices of others, it is our common concept as human beings to live within a functioning world. In order to maintain a functioning world, we all have to practice the art of tolerance, or at least make an honest try. In order to practice tolerance (for a religion, race, culture, belief, etc.), we have to reach the concept of making an attempt to understand. Understand what? Life, love, passion, religion, birth, death, pain, sorrow, joy, laughter, power, weakness, greed, selflessness, honor, all these are felt and recognized by every single human being on this planet. And just as we each feel these things differently, we practice them differently as well. But that doesn’t mean any of us does it wrong. It just means that we stem from the same cloth, but it is our actions and our choices that make us the individuals. We all develop differently because we come from different environments, habitats, and atmospheres. But underneath all that difference is a common concept-we all have a free-will, and how we choose to shape and develop this will makes us into the “good” or “bad” people we are perceived to be. So, is it really our actions that define us? Perhaps.

In the honest, bare, naked truth, human rights will challenge the mind, the will, the spirit, even the soul. There are concepts to human rights that we can’t even pretend to understand. All we can do is make an attempt through study, discussion, even action. A lot of the questions raised about human rights are just what exactly are they? Are they a natural, guaranteed right? Do they differ for each person? Yes. Just as we each define our morals, values, and beliefs systems, human rights will have a different meaning for each of us. For some, human rights brings out the harsh, naked, bare truth of the cruelty, turmoil, trauma, torture, everything within the true ugliness of the world. No, we, as a society don’t like to think of the ugliness of the world, but of it’s beauty, wonder, and magnificence. We like to see it as one of endless possibilities and goodness. While yes, in some areas it is all those pleasant things, the reality is that there is also ugliness in this world. Much of it remains in the darkness, and only through exploration, perseverance, and countless risks is the truth brought to light.

Some people on this earth hold a passion and an understanding for human rights that others do not share. Perhaps it is because of their own pasts, possibly twist, secret, hidden, and dark, that they feel a connection with the subject and can relate to others around the world that are experiencing the same thing. No, not all circumstances are the same, but within the rubble comes the foundation of a common ground, a sort of bonding, if you will. Not all stories are the same, just like not all of us are the same. But within each story comes the concept of very similar emotions, though they are all felt, experienced, and dealt with in different ways. Some are felt in constructive ways, others are not.

Perhaps it is for the people who have their own hidden pasts that find a passion within the controversy of human rights, and feel a relief, a connection, that finally, somewhere, someone understands. Perhaps out of all the negative experiences a person goes through, they find an inspiration that could lead them to a better, brighter future. This could be there chance to use their experiences to help others, to prevent them from feeling the same sense of suffering they had to endure for much of their lives. Just as we are given free choice in this world to be what we wish, we are given the opportunity to choose a career for our own future, perhaps through the experience of a diplomat, a politician, a soldier, or a journalist who advocates for human rights.

Just as a single rose can grow on a twisted stem, yet it is the thorns that we must avoid, for they are what causes us physical pain, it is the misinterpretation and misdeeds within the controversy of human rights that causes us emotional, physical, and psychological pain, or triumph. Our very life is a balance between time, consequence, and fate. So therefore, couldn’t it be that it is the concept of how to balance both the good and the evil on this earth that gives a true meaning to human rights and just what that means to each of us? We each were born with free will to choose who we want to be, just how we want to affect this world, and how we want to live amongst ourselves and others. Just like we were given a choice at the beginning, at the end, we are also given a choice of how we want to be remembered when we leave this life.