Small Differences

Humans are sensitive to small differences.

We really don’t need too many material things to live. We need food, water, and clean air to breathe. We’re the same in that we all need these things. Nevertheless, we don’t always focus on our sameness.

We tend to care about how we appear to be doing compared to others. Do we live in a trailer home or a mansion? A trailer home is sufficient for providing shelter during a storm. Yet, if we’ve ever walked around the inside of a mansion, we tend to prefer the idea of living in a mansion. Especially when we know other people who live in a mansion.

We tend to let even smaller differences upset us. Suppose the guy in the line ahead of you gets the last pancake, and you have to settle for an apple instead. It doesn’t even matter that the apple is probably the healthier choice. If you had your heart set on the pancake, you’re probably not going to be thrilled for the other guy. Even if you both get a pancake, suppose the other guy takes the last of the strawberry syrup while you have to settle for maple syrup.

We sometimes let small differences get in our way.

This is especially true when it comes to the judgments we make. Suppose Suzie understands a point you’re trying to make a few seconds before Dan. Well, that’s because Suzie is smarter than Dan. Dan just doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand you. Why do you even bother spending time with Dan at all?

When we have different opinions, this should be a cause for celebration — not retreat. We should be thrilled to have the opportunity to learn something new, a different way of understanding a situation. But too often, we label different opinions as wrong or bad.

Instead, let’s get curious when we encounter small differences.

Let’s imagine what it would be like to be on the other side of any small difference. Let’s recognize what makes us similar. And let’s get better at appreciating our small differences!