our inner universe

I have come to understand that my resistance to change has always been rooted in the fear of the unknown. I feared what I might discover about myself if I continued to resist the necessary steps toward healing. Adapting to new circumstances, mindsets, and methods felt nearly impossible because I was deeply conditioned to doubt my own judgment and lacked the trust in myself needed to make decisions I believed in. This self-analysis required me to confront the darkest aspects of myself and to reconsider how I truly perceive the world around me.

With resistance comes strength, which is essential for cultivating self-love, respect, and trust within oneself. The dynamics of your relationship with yourself can be influenced by countless interactions with those closest to you. I vividly recall my childhood, interpreting the chaos around me as my fault, which led to an inner voice that viewed the world through a distorted lens. I often concluded that I was to blame for things that no child should have to endure. The curious aspect of human nature is that, regardless of your circumstances, the way you interpret them shapes beliefs about yourself that subconsciously impact nearly every decision you make. This is especially true for those who are meant to guide you and establish the values necessary for a fulfilling and healthy life, particularly when external pressures from closed-minded individuals inhibit critical thinking. Growing up in an environment that instills genuine fear of even considering a rebellion against prevailing thoughts fosters a strong sense of belonging to a singular worldview. This perspective may not resonate with your beliefs in the future, yet feels nearly impossible to alter. For a child raised without adults who encouraged free expression, independent belief formation, and authenticity, the fear of disappointing those around you can be paralyzing. It serves as a painful reminder that being yourself is not acceptable. Generations have perpetuated the notion that there is only one way to think, believe, and act. However, you possess the power to break the cycle of generational close-mindedness that hinders our unity

For years, I have experienced fleeting enlightenment and a deep desire to transform my inner voice. I held back from waging a battle against my outdated belief system, which led to feelings of shame, closed-mindedness, guilt, and a deep-seated hatred and distrust of myself. The more I resisted confronting my inner voice and the values I thought I had to uphold, the further I strayed from the person I yearned to be—the person I knew existed within me, constantly at odds with the version of myself shaped by biases from events beyond my control. It felt as though my soul was patiently waiting for me to arrive at that realization. We grapple with many intertwined issues, rooted in bias and individual human experiences, making it seem almost impossible to unite. The individual who inflicted the most pain on me, whose experiences have changed me in ways I am still unraveling, once asked, “Who have you become? Who are you?” That is a question I hope you encounter, as we should always strive to grow into new versions of ourselves, moving one step closer to our true essence. I have transformed into someone who rewrites narratives, challenging the inner stories and conflicts within and around me. I am equipped with the understanding that every person carries their own collection of pain, shaping their logic, intuition, and perspective. When you begin to trust yourself to make decisions—by conducting thorough research before forming opinions and making self-reflection an essential part of the process—and live according to the values that resonate with you, the fear of allowing others to express their beliefs diminishes. You become more open to reflection, willing to engage in meaningful conversations, and guiding each dialogue with empathy. You have the power to rewrite your inner narrative continually. Train your mind to question your old belief systems and learn to trust yourself in making your own choices. Only you can embark on this journey for yourself. The more you let go of the urge to do it for others, the greater your capacity for empathy in times of conflict will become

When someone expresses a deeply held opinion shaped by their lived experiences up to that point, it can be challenging to envision how you might be the catalyst that questions those beliefs. The more you encourage someone to move past their resistance to change, the more you gradually chip away at the armor of biases that can cloud their judgment. It is illogical and unproductive to think there’s a perfect moment or method to “convince” others to adopt your belief system. This is the essence of individuality and the human experience. It’s essential to challenge ourselves and be open to understanding how each of us perceives the world through our unique perspectives. To foster change, we must resist contributing to the cycle of division rooted in differing opinions.

We have the power to change the world by resisting the temptation to believe solely in one narrative, one opinion, or one side, without questioning the biases that may stem from our own experiences that we might not recognize. This piece symbolizes the emotional connection to every innocent child who enters the world unbiased, unpartisan, and pure. One side represents your grown self, while the other signifies someone you might struggle to understand, with the middle ground being both parties coming together to address the issues that shaped their viewpoints. They are held together by concrete, loosely and uncertainly, yet unified in the understanding that a solution cannot be reached without respecting each other's opinions. Both sides are supported by wood, symbolizing the governing systems that may overlook our voices if we remain divided.

Embrace your humanity. Show empathy, even when others do not. Challenge yourself to open your mind, heart, and ears to the experiences of others. Resist the notion that it is too late to change or broaden your perspective. As long as we are alive, we continue to learn, processing information through filters of bias that can often be traced back to their origins

WILL YOU DARE TO RESHAPE YOUR TALE,

OR SUCCUMB TO THE SNARE OF A CYCLE FILLED WITH BELIEFS NOT FORGED BY YOUR OWN HAND?

co-written by taylor + connor robinson.