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Opinions

Am I Different or Similar To You?

July 11, 2019
Guest Blog
3 min read
in February 2017, Tavakolian brought a team of American wrestlers to compete in the 2017 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran
in February 2017, Tavakolian brought a team of American wrestlers to compete in the 2017 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran
Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian (center) mediated discussions for cooperation between Iran wrestling legend Rasoul Khadem (r) and South American wrestling reps to promote the sport in the region
Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian (center) mediated discussions for cooperation between Iran wrestling legend Rasoul Khadem (r) and South American wrestling reps to promote the sport in the region

Sports diplomat and wrestling champion Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian has worked hard to forge links between Iranian and American wrestlers, believing that solidarity between athletes can foster better relations between countries. In 2017, he brough a team of American wrestlers to compete in the 2017 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran, for which he was awarded the Peace and Sport's Diplomatic Action Of The Year award. Earlier this year he visited Iran and helped rebuild a gym in Poldokhtar in Lorestan province that had been devastated by the floods that affected many provinces across the country. Not for the first time, Tavakolian was reminded of how important it is for people to recognize what they have in common instead of focusing on what drives them apart. 

 

 

When was the last time you turned on the news and saw two political leaders having a summit to celebrate their similarities? To acknowledge progress in their countries and region?  

In the real world it’s more practical to see the division of people — worldwide. Creating separation leads to more division. One reason can be our attachment to specific beliefs and ideologies that unfortunately define us, and therefore handicap us. This can lead to fear of differences that creates more disconnect and keeps us apart.

The more I travel to see the world and its beautiful people, with an open heart and open mind, I share my connections and it helps bring comfort and people closer for me. Understanding our similarities as humans will help us greatly in allowing us to connect with one another and helps us communicate and share our compassion. This will help us grow closer and connect with our similarities and at the same time respect our differences and different beliefs. The true nature of human love is to understand one’s personal character and share from deep within. 

Society today analyzes people before they even open their mouths to speak. Does this seem like an accurate way to judge a person's character? We do not give ourselves enough credit as humans. We are complicated, multifaceted beings who don't belong to a single category. We are so diverse and under constant change with the flow of life and evolution that it is nearly impossible to be one concrete thing, cast in one category indefinitely. 

We focus so much on what makes us different and what separates us – but we fail to comprehend that we are all the mirrored image of each other.  

Perhaps maybe we feel like there is not enough love to go around – so we use religion and our beliefs to convince us that our belief is the only "right" belief, therefore making others' beliefs "wrong" – stopping our love from flowing to others.

Through my travels I look to counter any preconceived negativity toward others that our multibillion-dollar media companies seem to glorify. I think that one of the best things that happens in this world is when people interact and come together through sporting events, music festivals and other international events that unite people. I think that human souls attract one another best when they feel kindness, gratitude and love during these interactions. It is hard to have friction with someone who is smiling and sharing the same love with you.

As humans, it is so much easier to exclude groups of people before we decide to know them and love them for who they are and for their differences. Unfortunately, this is inevitable, but the first step to eliminate this problem is to recognize that we ALL do this. When we look at a person who is different, we should recognize that we label people from our first look. Then, we must disregard those initial thoughts and form our own by initiating conversation with the person to see who he or she truly is — apart from the exterior.

We are all the same; we are human; we have skin, lungs, feet, hands and teeth. So, in conclusion, what makes us so different?  Only our delusional perception and our fear.  Other than that, absolutely nothing.  

 

Read more about Hooman Tavakolian: 

50 Iranian-Americans You Should Know: Hooman "Mo" Tavakolian

Wrestling Diplomat Hooman Tavakolian Nominated for Sport and Peace Award

 

 

 

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