I consciously used the word "temptation" in the title because I find I am tempted when there is a persistent part of me that keeps saying, "Go ahead. Do it." And othering so often has a natural feel to it. When I feel threatened, the response of pulling back and attempting to push away whatever is causing my discomfort is my first inclination. My temptation. Life seems easier if I can blame someone or something outside of me for my discomfort and step away from it. But, when allowing some moments for further reflection, I often realize that my initial "gut" reaction could well be an imposition of what I have labeled as "other" something that is actually deep inside me. I then have an opportunity to instead open my heart to this less familiar and possibly disorienting person or object or place.
An example. Long story, but I found myself walking alone in the streets of Istanbul. I turned onto a street where there were young men standing around, some of them looking at me. I felt my stress rising. Then, church bells rang and women began exiting a church to join their partners waiting outside. I then was able to smile at the couples and continue my walk, chiding myself for so quicking judging the "other."
