So clearly this is a love song. But you can apply it to any relationship or friendship. Love people because of their flaws, not despite them. This system does have it's flaws and you in no means want to be blind to someone's rougher spots, but realize that you have rough spots too. I'm slowly trying to learn this lesson. That's the way to live!
Two days ago, I heard from a speaker through an honors program I am enrolled in. He came up wearing a nice suit and an African hat and started speaking in a very heavy African accent. I got a little antsy and started checking the clock. He then asked where all of us were from, and after asked us where we thought he was from. People threw out ideas like Morocco, South Africa, Nigeria, and such. He would laugh and say "No. But bery bery close." Finally we gave up and asked for him to tell us. He took off his hat and in a very clear American voice said, "I'm from Brooklyn." He went on telling us that on average, you make 11 judgments about someone in 7 seconds. You factor in things like attract-ability, intelligence, social status, the works. What he just proved to us though was a first impression on someone can be completely wrong, and you won't really know unless you give someone the chance to prove who they are.
Last year in an amazing English class I took, our teacher took us to a website that scientifically measured our bias towards different religions, races, social status, genders, everything! I think it was through Harvard. They would assign one group positive words and another group negative words. They would then show you pictures of various people or words that fit into the group you were testing on. Depending on how fast you would click good or bad, and whether you clicked the right corresponding word, they would judge how biased you were towards that certain group. It was so interesting to find out how subconsciously biased everyone is to lifestyles that don't match their own!
I have a challenge. Take someone you don't like or don't know yet. It could be a roomate, a sibling you can't get along with, or that crazy girl in your chem class that just won't shut up. Don't judge them, just chill out and try to find out their back story as to why they act the way they do. See what they see, and make an effort for them to see what you see. Only then will you be able to appreciate the world for it's true beauty.
Finally, if you love acoustic music, go to this site. I'm obsessed. :D
