Refining Day: Embracing Empathy as the Core of Our Humanity

Hello, dear readers—Oddly Robbie here. Today, let’s peel back the layers of our shared humanity, reflecting on a truth as old as time but often forgotten in the shuffle of modern life: how we treat the so-called “least of us” says everything about who we are.

Raised in a deeply religious setting, I often heard sermons about love, charity, and humility. Yet, it baffled me to see such stark contradictions between the preached word and the practiced world. The concept of loving thy neighbor was often reserved for those who fit a narrow mold, leaving out those labeled as “lesser.” But here’s the twist: this catch-all judgment reveals more about the judge than the judged.

In many religious traditions, there’s a core teaching that echoes loud and clear: you can’t have “lessers.” The divine doesn’t rank souls, and humanity’s great calling is to treat everyone—foreigners, outsiders, the misunderstood, and the different—with grace. This isn’t just a moral checklist; it’s the cornerstone of any society that dares to call itself compassionate.

The Danger of Othering

The word “Samaritan” was revolutionary in its time, signaling the inclusion of those dehumanized by cultural and social boundaries. Today, we face our own Samaritans—those pushed to the margins because of who they are, how they live, or the customs they cherish. Immigrants. LGBTQ+ folks. Neurodiverse individuals. People navigating homelessness or poverty. And here’s the sobering truth: how we treat these groups reflects the health of our collective soul.

Too often, we hear labels thrown around like weapons, turning people into “others” and closing the door on understanding. But every label—be it “lesser,” “foreign,” or anything else—is a choice to devalue someone who carries the same human spark as you.

A Call to Action: Feed, Clothe, House, Love

The good news is, we can do better. And it’s not complicated. This is your refining day—a chance to rise above the noise of division and choose empathy. Whether it’s advocating for affordable housing, supporting mental health services, or simply extending kindness to someone overlooked, the path forward is paved with small, meaningful acts.

Let’s push past the cynicism that tells us hate is useful—it’s not. Hate poisons the well from which we all drink. Empathy, on the other hand, is healing.

Reflections from Robbie

As someone who often passes for “normal” but feels worlds apart, I’ve seen both sides. Treated with kindness one day and suspicion the next, I’ve come to believe that the ultimate test of a society isn’t its wealth, power, or beauty—it’s how it embraces its differences.

Let today be a refining day for us all. Stand up for those dismissed as “lesser.” Feed them, clothe them, house them, love them. Not because they are weak or broken, but because they are human, just like you.

So here’s my challenge: embrace this truth, live it boldly, and let your newfound empathy be a light in the dark. We can change the course of our lives—and the world—starting now.

Stay odd, stay kind.