Colorblind

I've written previously about how my life is punctuated by poignant songs and heart-wrenching movie moments. When I was in college, Cruel Intentions was very popular and is one of my all-time favorite movies. The movie has a terrific soundtrack, and one of the best on the album is Colorblind by Counting Crows.

This song has always held a lot of meaning and purpose for me. How many people in our lives get to see who we really and truly are...not just on the outside or in bits and spurts, but who we are at our core? And more importantly, who gets to help us uncover the layers, revealing our inner beauty and substance? Who gets to be with us at that very moment when we're ready to shed those skins and lay down those defenses?

A few months ago, I posted a blog about double standards. This topic came up again recently as I had a terrific conversation with a colleague about judging. We all do it. It's ingrained in our chemical make-up to compare ourselves to others and through scrutinization of someone else, we in turn elevate ourselves. What baffles me, though, are the people who believe they are right to judge because of some higher authority or established belief system. It's like scoffing at the homeless man sitting next to you in church because he smells bad and his clothes are tattered. He's in church...just like you. So, perhaps he's judging you too because your shoes are brown and you're wearing black pants...in your infinite wisdom, you forgot that when you point your finger at someone else, you have three pointing right back at you.

What if we were all colorblind? Not literally, but figuratively. Blind to the differences that separate us. Blind to the fears that keep us from pursuing our dreams. Blind to the social parameters that dictate what we should and shouldn't do. Blind to the criticism and judgment that present barriers to our happiness. Wouldn't it be great if we were all colorblind? I certainly think so.