Chapter 11: Appreciate Culture
American culture, and most other Western cultures, are unique melting pots of many different cultures. The large number of immigrants that have settled in America make it one of the most unique places in the world, creating multiple subcultures and contributing the overall culture that all Americans share. Britain, Australia, and Japan are some examples of other countries that host many immigrants and are influenced by immigrant culture as well.
Other countries also have very unique cultures. The different elements of culture, from cooking to art to manners, create unique frameworks for the minds of culture members. Your culture is part of who you are because it has influenced how you look at the world and how you use your mind. The way you imagine things and express through art is probably influenced by your culture, too.
You should appreciate how your cultural background has made you into who you are today. All of the cultures that you have experienced have also left their mark on you. Appreciate how they have contributed to your worldview and your artistry, if you are an artist.
There may be some cultures that resonate with you. For example, many Americans find resonation in East Asian culture. If a foreign culture has had a profound impact on you, then appreciate that culture. Appreciate how it inspires you and how it makes you feel. Appreciate the beauty that draws you in.
Appreciate the holidays that you celebrate. Appreciate how you anticipate them. Appreciate how they provide an excuse to celebrate and spend time with your family. Also, appreciate how you probably get days off from work for holidays. If you have to work on holidays, appreciate the fact that you are there for other people who need your services on holidays. Many businesses shut down on holidays so your holiday work is valuable to many people.
Appreciate the food unique to your culture. The smell and taste of this food probably takes you back to childhood and makes you feel like you are home. You will always have a special place in your heart, and in your taste buds, for your native food. If you are American, you get to appreciate many foods easily, especially Italian and Chinese. Everybody loves pizza.
Appreciate how ideas move across the world. Now we are a global society. The distances between people that used to create almost total isolation between cultures is now almost nonexistent with the Internet. As our world shrinks, appreciate how you get to meet and learn about people all over the globe.