Embrace the Light of Rotary: Celebrating Our Differences In a world that often feels divided, we must ask ourselves: what truly separates us? Is it our differences, or is it our inability to honour and celebrate them? How fortunate we are to belong to Rotary an organization where we can freely engage with people from all walks of life, embracing their cultures, religions, races, opinions, and ways of living. Here, we have the opportunity to cherish diversity, rather than fear it. Our ultimate vision is world peace, yet we too often allow fear and suspicion to cloud our judgment. We fall prey to building walls rather than bridges, and we compete for scarce resources, whether locally, regionally, or globally. This competition, born from scarcity and misunderstanding, fosters division rather than unity. It is natural to gravitate toward those who mirror our beliefs, our actions, or who offer us something we desire. But when faced with differences those that challenge our expectations we sometimes react with prejudice. We judge, stereotype. and unfairly treat others based on these assumptions. The emotional and physical harm this causes can leave lasting scars, not just on individuals, but on the very fabric of our society. The phrase survival of the fittest is often misinterpreted as a justification for competition over cooperation. Too often, we view the world through a lens of comparison, believing that one person s qualities are better than another's. This breeds conflict, not harmony. Yet, Audre Lorde s words offer a profound reminder: In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth rather than a reason for destruction. If Rotary embodies anything, it is the potential to stand united, side by side, across all differences. Imagine the power we could unleash if we focused not on what separates us, but on what unites us: solidarity, friendship. interdependence, and mutual respect. In the spirit of Rotary, we can choose to be deliberate in our approach to differences. Let us actively engage in strategies that celebrate them, rather than shy away from them. Every difference we encounter is an opportunity a chance to understand, to learn, and to grow together. It is an invitation to engage in an educational process that promotes dialogue and understanding between all sides. If we are each uniquely created, why should we not embrace the very differences that make us who we are? These differences are not threats; they are the threads that weave the fabric of our shared humanity. When we celebrate them, we enrich not just our own lives, but the lives of everyone we touch. Let us shine the light of Rotary brighter by embracing the beauty in our diversity. In doing so. we will move closer to the world we all long for: a world where our differences are celebrated, not feared: a world where we work together for the greater good.