Growing From Our Differences
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Greater Than the difference of our parts

It's time to rethink the idea of being greater than the sum of our parts.

41
upload.wikimedia.org
Wikimedia

During my junior year of high school, the final for my English class was a presentation on basically anything we wanted. I don't remember much, but I do remember that I focused on the idea of people being greater than the sum of their parts.

I remember looking up the prices of elements by weight and determining what percentage of our bodies were composed of various elements. I had myself priced out to the penny and was standing in front of my classmates, trying to convince them that I was, and they were, worth more than the sum of their parts... literally.

At the age of 17, that seemed like an empowering breakthrough. Like many of my peers, I was in a time in my life where I was building my identity. Discovering that I was more than every individual thing about me made life more exciting.

As if someone else on the planet could have the same list of likes and dislikes and be a totally different person because they weren't me. We make more with what we are because of who we are and what we do with it.

But college isn't high school. High school wants you to build yourself up, but college wants to break you down. This isn't always the negative experience that it seems to be.

College helps you discover who you are by ridding you of all the things you aren't, everything about you that existed because / in spite of high school. With a sense of independence, we are able to be who we are.

So, at this age, the question isn't if we are greater than the sum of our parts, but rather greater than the sum of our differences. This can mean so many different things.

First, when we lose something, do we come out the other side better than we should? Can losing something make us better? We are all able to add two and two together and get different numbers. But are we able to lose two and still be the same? Do we improve?

It's easy to say that we are greater than all the good things in our life because we can just keep making good things better. But can we keep it up when times are hard? Can we keep improving ourselves and making the best of what we have, even when we are losing parts of it?

I believe every person is greater than the sum of their parts, but I think it takes a special type of person that is able to be greater than the sum of their differences. It's instinctual to make something out of something else. But to make something positive out of losing something takes a particular mindset and, for some, time.

Second, are we, as a group, bigger than what makes us different? This one's a bit harder. Even if we allow our losses to make us better, there is no promise that we can overcome what makes one person different from other.

In fact, it seems like our differences are what define all of us. It's never about what one group has in common with the other; it's always what makes them different.

We would be able to grow from being defined by these differences if people were willing to discuss them or be open to a change of heart. In that way, we could learn to be greater than the sum of our differences. But once something makes us different from someone else, we think of them as different.

Fundamentally, we are all the same. We want things, we love people, and we doubt ourselves. The small things that make us different should bring us closer together in order to learn and grow, not drive us further apart.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

59043
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38126
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959615
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

196415
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments