Everywhere I looked, I saw faces that were different from mine, and the sounds of English swirled around me, a language that was both exciting and intimidating. My parents, who had always been my anchors, now seemed a bit lost themselves. We were stepping into a new world, where the rules were different, and the culture felt like a puzzle I had yet to solve.

Yet, as time passed, I began to notice the beauty of this new environment. The multicultural tapestry of Canada revealed itself in small ways — festivals celebrating diverse cultures, cuisines from around the world,I met kids from various backgrounds, each with their own story, and slowly, the sense of isolation began to fade.

With the beauty of acceptance my new world came with it's own set of biases such as language.

I was part of a community where gender roles were imposed on us from birth. These roles were strictly divided between outdoor and indoor responsibilities. Outdoor work, associated with strength, agility, and the role of providing for the family, was viewed as the "real work" of men. In contrast, the indoor tasks typically handled by women such as child-rearing, cooking, cleaning, sewing, and gardening were often dismissed as non-work, seen merely as duties that needed to be done rather than valued contributions.(P.8)

Anyone who identified outside of these prescribed roles or norms wasn’t fully accepted into the community and was often marginalized.

This bias influenced how I judged others’ roles or decisions, such as men taking on caregiving roles or women pursuing careers traditionally associated with men. It also affected how I viewed my own aspirations and potential roles in society.

Education has a played a huge role in transformation of my thoughts regarding belonging and othering. I now see this concept as there is "no other" I strongly believe in inclusivity which has taught me to cherish friendships, relationships, and communities that celebrate diversity rather than stigmatize it. As John A. Powell points out, adopting an inclusive mindset not only enriches our individual experiences but also enhances the fabric of our communities

In school, I recall a clear divide between students who excelled academically and those who struggled. This in turn created a strong bias within me that if you weren’t excelling academically, you weren’t putting in enough effort, and this judgment extended to both peers and teachers alike.

This school of thought led me to undervalue other strengths or talents, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, or practical skills.

For example, in school, there was an unspoken rule that you didn’t question the teacher. Even if you disagreed or didn’t fully understand, raising concerns wasn’t always welcomed. This mindset extended into family life, where decisions made by elders whether regarding education, career, or personal choices were generally considered final.

This restricted my ability to voice dissenting opinions or advocate for myself or others in situations where I disagreed with authority figures, reinforcing the idea that compliance was a sign of respect

Through religion I have learned to be non judgmental reminding me that we are all on our own unique paths. This belief has guided how I interact with people, encouraging me to listen without preconceived notions and to respect differing perspectives. Additionally, One of my core values is resilience, deeply influenced by my faith. During hardships, I’ve turned to religion, which encourages me to view challenges as tests of my strength and character. This perspective has helped me find purpose in difficult times, pushing me to persevere rather than lose hope. By framing my struggles as opportunities for growth, my faith has become a source of inner strength, reinforcing my resilience when faced with life’s uncertainties.

Although religion continues to be a powerful source of resilience for me, I’ve also come to recognize that relying solely on faith can sometimes foster excessive self-reliance. While viewing challenges as tests of inner strength often helps me persevere, this perspective can also make it tempting to handle struggles independently, rather than seeking external support when needed. Balancing my faith with a willingness to reach out has been essential in maintaining both my resilience and well-being.

Immigrating to Canada highlighted the contrast between belonging and othering, concepts that soon felt like unavoidable parts of human society. On my first day of school, I realized that my clothing marked me as “different,” as the “other.” This experience taught me that I would need to change aspects of myself to fit in—yet, even with these changes, there were spaces where I still felt I didn’t belong. I began to believe that some individuals naturally belonged while others did not, viewing these divisions as necessary to preserve certain social structures and cultural identities. Occasionally, I felt uncomfortable with the barriers created by othering, but I would dismiss these feelings, convincing myself that this was simply the way things were meant to be.

I used to see socioeconomic status and positionality as unavoidable aspects of society. I believed that where someone stood in terms of wealth or social status largely determined their place in the world, and that this hierarchy was simply how society functioned. Growing up, I often heard that people’s success was a reflection of their hard work or choices. This narrative made it easy to accept social and economic inequalities as fair, even if they felt somewhat uncomfortable. While I accepted these divides, I sometimes questioned why certain people seemed to face more barriers than others, regardless of how hard they worked. But I brushed aside these doubts, believing that everyone’s position was a product of their circumstances

Seeing diversity in a deeper way helps me understand why, as a helper, I need to be careful with using practices from other cultures, especially if they aren’t part of my own background. Instead of just viewing diversity as celebrating or learning about other cultures, I now understand it also means respecting boundaries, especially around sacred practices. "For example, methods of healing from indigenous cultures are based on traditions and for use by indigenous counsellors. Non-indigenous counsellors need to guard against replication of colonialism and seek permission about the appropriate use of any traditional healing methods" (Arthur,(2019),p.8).

I am mindful of avoiding assumptions based on cultural stereotypes and focus on actively listening to each client’s story to understand their specific needs and perspectives. This client-centered approach reflects my commitment to diversity by prioritizing individuals over generalized cultural narratives. By recognizing and embracing the richness of diverse identities, I aim to create meaningful connections that honor each person’s uniqueness.

By addressing systemic inequities, I aim to promote fairness and ensure that all clients have an equal opportunity to achieve their goals. My commitment to equity involves not only recognizing disparities but also actively supporting clients in overcoming the obstacles that hinder their progress.

This inclusive approach fosters stronger relationships and builds mutual trust and understanding. It also guides my counseling practice, where I work to maintain an empathetic and inclusive environment that empowers clients to feel valued and supported. By integrating inclusion into my work, I aim to honor the identities of my clients and help them build meaningful connections within their own communities.

Otherness and Belonging. John a. Powell | [Video]. Retrieved from. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKxQ0lncBnk

Education played a significant role in this evolution. Through academic experiences, I learned the value of critical analysis and constructive feedback, even in hierarchical relationships. Engaging in discussions where diverse opinions were welcomed helped me understand that voicing dissenting views could foster mutual respect and innovation rather than conflict.

Over time, I have developed a more nuanced understanding of respect—one that includes honoring others’ wisdom while recognizing the importance of my own voice.