Embracing Our Differences

As the song goes, “What the world needs now, is love, sweet love,” in the form of more kindness and understanding. ?Since 2004, “Embracing Our Differences” has been an annual outdoor international art exhibition at two Florida venues: Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and St. Petersburg's Poynter Park. The juried exhibition consists of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by an original, thought-provoking quotation. The quote accompanying the painting above is “Differences in thoughts and perspectives lead to innovation and progress.” (Robert Mayer, Sarasota, FL)

Kindness, along with respect and understanding, is the overarching theme each year, or as one of the other quotations recommends: “Wake up. Be kind. Go to sleep. Repeat.”(Kimberly Probus-Clark), That quote is available on a T-shirt purchasable on the website, along with a variety of other items. Catalogs of the art featured in the three month-long exhibitions are also available for purchase, and wonderfully inspiring as a memory, or if you are not able to wander through the exhibit in person, as a substitute.

Because I am a word-lover, I enjoyed the quotations as much as the art, this one especially:

If kindness earned its weight in gold, would you be wealthy? ~ Judit Pauling

Would I? Would you?

The mission of Embracing Our Differences is simple: “Through arts and education, we inspire kindness and respect.” Their influence is far-reaching. According to the exhibition’s website, the response to the 2025 Exhibition’s call for artwork and quotations garnered 10,124 entries pouring in from 122 countries and 46 states. “Students from 511 schools around the world submitted artwork or quotations to the juried exhibition and more than 65% of submissions?were from students.“ What an encouraging sign of hope for the future of the planet!

The organization’s initiatives go far beyond the exhibitions and include comprehensive student education programs, interactive workshops, teacher training, and curriculum development. It’s worth learning more. And if you don’t click on any of the links, do spread kindness anyway.

If you know of other kindness organizations, please let me know at [email protected].?

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Kathy Laurenhue, M.A, C.H.P., is the creator and CEO of WiserNow.com., dedicated to fostering wellbeing in people of all ages through a lighthearted approach. As the author of multiple books and newsletters, dozens of training courses and webinars, and hundreds of trivia quizzes, word games, and discussion exercises, she is eager to expand her reach. Check out the many offerings of her websites beginning with Wiser Now, Inc. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].