It was January of 2017, just two years post-graduation from college. I stepped off the plane into the heat of New Delhi, India after 28 hours of travel, with a little bit of sleep and some delicious curried breakfast in my belly. With my camera and microphone in hand, and my luggage in tow, I set off with my colleague for two jam-packed weeks of media documentation, interviews, community meetings, and project follow-up on behalf of the agency I worked for at that time.
Throughout the trip, we traversed several thousand miles by car, bus, train, small planes, motorboat, motorcycle, and “tuk-tuk” scooter, from the top of the country as far south as Chennai near the coast. From urban metropolises to tiny rural villages; from swanky hotels to desolate back-alley streets — it was altogether foreign and surprisingly beautiful.
Before arriving in India, I had built up in my mind a story of caution and worry in regards to all of the differences I may experience being immersed in the culture of the families and communities we would visit. India is predominantly Hindu and Muslim by faith, and boasts billions of people across multiple “castes” including the richest of the rich and the poorest of the poor. The organization I worked for was explicitly a Christian ministry, at that time made up of an all-white, middle-class staff. I had no idea what to expect, and I felt nervous. Most of this mental story was simply fear – more specifically, fear of difference or fear of “the other.”
What I quickly learned upon embarking on this epic adventure was that there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of with our differences. In fact, the differences I witnessed were breathtakingly beautiful.
The first difference that simply blew me away was how incredibly hospitable every single person is that we met along the way. You think the Midwest is hospitable? Ha! Indian hospitality makes ours look like a joke. The families and leaders we had the pleasure of spending time with bent over backwards to care for us, cook for us, house us, travel with us, share stories with us, and more. I have never experienced such immediate trust, kindness, and generosity in the US. It was beautiful.
The second difference that blew me away was the entire country’s appreciation of color and pattern. Every building was painted vibrant hues of blue, green, pink, orange, and purple. Every shirt, sari, skirt, or scarf was woven with intricately curling patterns, flowers, and jewelry. Every village and temple was adorned with artistic sculpting and historical elements. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was beautiful.
The third difference that blew me away was how reverently each person we met practiced their respective faith, many of them from varying traditions like Hindu, Muslim, a few Christian, and others. Not only were they each working hard to serve, develop and uplift their communities, but they were doing it together. Some of them had endured difficult suffering and discrimination, and yet continued to wake up each day with a passion in their hearts for helping the members of their communities who were in the most need. They shared about their values and beliefs with us, and get this – they actually practiced what they preached! It was beautiful.
I am so grateful for this international and intercultural experience, because it directly upended the fears I had brought into the trip, which I now know were evidently linked to internal biases against those who were different from me. Now more than 5 years later, I am still committed to practice what I learned in India about appreciating and seeking out more diversity in my life and community.
Even though you and I may be neurologically wired to feel caution about difference, I hope that you may seek out experiences like mine that will challenge you to find the beauty in these differences instead of taking the easy route of fear or avoidance. By expanding our awareness and diversifying our circles, we can directly benefit our social health, mental health, and recovery journeys.
–Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director at The Willow Center
