#ELBlog #194: Different Is Different and That’s Just Fine

I love the fall. I love the cooling of the summer air, football season, outdoor fire pits, and certainly the changing of the leaves. I live in the beautiful Delaware Valley along the banks of the Delaware River in Northeast Pennsylvania. It is absolutely stunning during this time of the year. The different colors, the changing of the seasons, etc. One day could be 60F and warm and the next in the 30’s blowing rain and cold. Soon winter will grab hold, the leaves will fall, and we are in for a long cold winter. 

I’ve never seen a tree drop its leaves like I did this year.
I was speaking with some people who were nearby and they shared that this tree is unique because once the first frost hits all of the leaves just fall. Look at it. Look at that beautiful color and all the leaves together like that. I’ve never seen anything like it. I noticed the neighboring trees are all a little different, and their leaves are still intact. As I write this blog, I’m looking around at the variety of trees and colors with a multitude of levels of leaves on the trees. Why is that? Why is it also different?

It got me thinking about the world we live in and everything that’s happening in our world. Different is ok. Different is good. Variety and differences are what make the world go round. Just because all of these leaves fell at the same time doesn’t make this tree any better or worse than the others, just different. In a way, more beautiful and certainly ready for winter.

As we enter 2022, I challenge you to embrace each other’s differences. There has been so much divide, strong opinions, and hurt feelings in the past few years. We as leaders need to set an example and embrace what’s different. Seek to understand before being understood and have an open mind. Keep rolling friends and if I could help you in any way don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 on Twitter.