Unconscious bias is often perceived as something bad. I see bias as an unseen, no thought, reflection of the beliefs closest to one’s heart. We often discover there is no belief in our hearts that all are created equal when the truth of our belief is revealed through the bias shown in our choices and decisions. On the other hand, when we act with positive belief, it can be equally surprising to discover how our hearts have moved beyond our doubts.
Life reminds me to examine my foundations regularly. With the horror of collapsing buildings still playing out in the news, I find myself undertaking a fresh examination. This examination is incredibly personal, as it should be. The purpose and quality of our lives is at stake. In many ways, it will reveal the bias which drives our view of life and the decisions and actions which follow.
How do I see myself? Am I willing to see myself as Divinity views me or have I applied a different measure? As I find conflicting pieces to the story, I find myself challenged to embrace the best view of my heart, mind, and body. Experience reminds me that in defining my value, especially when it is independent of my success and failure, I open myself up to being part of a story greater than myself.
How do I see Divinity? In my journey, I wrestled with this for decades. When I took the question seriously, my wrestling turned into a serious battle within. I hope others do not need to go through my struggle, but if you find yourself in a major firefight between self and exposure, know others have shared in this fight. In the end, I found myself committed to unconditional acceptance, forgiveness, and kindness with every fiber of my being. I could repeat the psalmist words as my own, “I know that you, God, are on the side of victims, that you care for the rights of the poor.” (Psalm 140.12)
In the examination, I realized I was continuously building the structure and content of my life on my foundation.
