Last year when I visited Costa Rica, I had an amazing experience walking through a rainforest. The moment felt perfect. I was in the midst of this vast expansive forest, smelling the fresh air, feeling a light drizzle and hearing the constant buzzing of insects, reptiles, and birds all around. I was in awe of not only the sheer beauty of the lush green landscape but even more by the synergy and harmony that was so ingrained in the existence of this beautiful jungle. There were the tiniest insects and the largest trees, thousands of birds and animals all living in perfect harmony. Each and every plant and animal was a unique expression of life that had a different way of existing, getting their nutrition, reproducing and dying. Each and every being had its own part to play, each one fit so perfectly in the cycle of life – supporting this living ecology in its own way. I find it tough to explain the awe I felt in words because this feeling in the middle of the rainforest was not very intellectual, but something I just FELT. It felt amazing to be in the midst of life pulsating from every inch of the forest in way that helped maintain the balance of the entire forest.

After coming back, I find myself re-visting this experience often. I can’t help but think, if it was so easy – almost natural and instinctive for me to be awe-struck by the diversity and harmony in which the rainforest existed.  Why did I find it so difficult to extend the same wonderment when it came to being in the concrete jungle filled with humans? What was stopping me from appreciating the uniqueness of every individual just the way they were? Why couldn’t I entertain the possibility that life had chosen this way to flow through them and it was perfect in a way beyond my mind’s comprehension? I found that most of the times I get so stuck in my idea of the way things should be that I forget to appreciate the way things are. I forget to appreciate each human for the way they are and for the beauty, value and diversity they bring to the mix on earth.

However, there have been a few times that I can pause and find some sense of appreciation – even in conflict, even when my mind wants everything to be aligned to “My way”. The pause and returning to the feeling I felt in the rainforest helps me mellow down a little. It helps me surrender to the magic created by the universe flowing through each and every being. The magic I know exists, because I felt it in that rainforest in Costa Rica.

Next time I find myself judging someone for living, thinking, believing, wanting or acting in a way that’s different from my idea of how they should be, I am glad I have this experience I can return to. I don’t have to understand it, I don’t have to agree but at least I can make space for the possibility that this is the way life has chosen to flow through this being, and their uniqueness is providing value in a beautiful way which I may not understand.