The Apple, the Orange

Have you ever seen someone who likes apples complain that oranges or bananas are not like apples? Not really, right? If someone enjoys eating apples, they simply eat apples. They don’t wonder, “Why isn’t this orange like an apple?” or “Why doesn’t the banana taste like an apple?” That thought doesn’t even arise in their mind.

Nature loves diversity.

Every fruit is different, and we accept it. We even celebrate it. But strangely, when it comes to people, we lose this natural acceptance.

We often think: “Why is he not like that?” or “I don’t like her because she doesn’t think like me.” We begin judging others by a very narrow lens — our own. “I like only those who think like me, speak like me, behave like me. Only those who fit into my definition of how a person should be.”

We must begin to accept people as they are. We must learn to accommodate people as they are. If someone is a certain way, then that’s simply who they are. What’s wrong with that? Why should they fit into your frame? Just like there are many fruits, there are many kinds of people. That’s the beauty of this world.

When we truly understand this, we realize that people will naturally vary — in thought, expression, pace, emotion, beliefs. And that’s what makes human interaction rich, not poor.

Somewhere along the way, we’ve created this invisible judgment throne. Or perhaps a better analogy — the Cinderella shoe. Only the person who perfectly fits that shoe is accepted. Only the one who fits our self-created mold is “our type.”

But here’s the truth: Inside every person, there is absolutely no difference. On the surface, yes — we see color, shape, personality, opinion. But inside — at the level of consciousness, at the level of essence — we’re the same (not similar; same).

When we start to see this, judgment naturally drops. Expectations fade away. We stop labeling people as “this kind” or “that kind.” And we begin to let others be — just as they are.

So the next time you meet someone different from you, remember the apple and the orange.