Indifference

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” - by Elie Wiesel

As I was listening to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday conversation with Elie, I froze when I heard him share this quote on indifference. At that moment, as I was preparing breakfast and doing my morning routine, I realized how much of my life I was indifferent to my culture, to my heritage, to my language, to our land. Yes, it always had meaning to me. Yes, I learned the language and read to my children. I heard my grandparents’ stories about hardship maintaining their culture, religion, and language in a time and place in history where it was prohibited. However, at the end of the day, so many familial cultural ‘artifacts’ were sitting in my drawers unloved and unappreciated. I heard Elie’s message loud and clear.

Indifference. Indifference. Indifference. It rang in my ears, in my mind, in my heart for months after hearing the podcast. That message was for me. Indifference happens when we think someone else is responsible for the destiny, the decision, the outcome. When really all along you were the one responsible. I am responsible for what I feel, what I hold dear, and what I share with others and my community. Melt away the indifference and under all those layers is purpose. The reason you are here and what it truly means to you, without the labels and expectations. What do you want? What do you really want out of this one life that is given to you?