Integritus Prime

After the release of my last book, Angels who UpLyft, I didn’t think I would keep having profound encounters with drivers. After all, there’s no Lyft in Fiji. Dead wrong. I’ve been having deep conversations with taxi drivers in Fiji, and in Australia too! This story builds on my post about the book, with more insights in the diversity department. Life is reminding me: there’s always more to learn.

Angels who UpLyft was only possible for me to finish and launch from Fiji because I met a driver, let’s call him Emran,* who allowed me to take a picture of the interior of his vehicle and use it for my book’s cover. The crucifix that hangs in that car carries a story that I only learned more about a few weeks ago, on the way from Suva to Nadi, to fly from Nadi International Airport to Sydney to launch my speaking tour.

The driver who took us to Nadi, Saul, explained that he is a part iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) and part ethnic Indian, Christian man. We enjoyed our trip with him, sharing lunch, music, and conversations. I realized that it was this man’s car that my other driver, Emran, whom I mention in the epilogue of Angels Who UpLyft, was driving. Emran is Muslim and he is content to leave the crucifix hanging in the car – a lovely gesture of openness and allowing people to just be who they are. It was this gesture that inspired me to choose the image I chose for the book cover.

The driver who brought us back to Suva from Nadi a couple of days ago, I’ll call him Dinesh, brought this message of diversity home in a deeper way. Perhaps it was the near-death experience we all shared that prompted him to share so richly. We had slowed down and were dodging a pothole when a pickup truck overtook us on the wrong side, and I saw a white flash to my left before realizing what happened. I had no idea how this vehicle could even have fit beside us. It whizzed by as if it was flying and we all gasped. In a split second, we were reminded of how fleeting life is…If that truck had hit us, we would have been chutney. Yes, a nasty visual.

Previously we had shared music, jokes, food, and light conversation with Dinesh on this drive. Now, after this near-accident, he launched into a discussion about race, ethnicity, religion, and in essence, accepting and respecting people for who they are. He mentioned he was a Hindu man married to a Muslim woman, and they had raised their children to be respectful and open-minded. No one had been converted to another religion, and no one was under any obligations or restrictions in their family. In fact, his daughter married a Christian, and they are all getting along nicely. They each attend the others’ religious functions with respect. Even more beautiful: Dinesh and his spouse are willing to fulfill each other’s last rites in their chosen religion and tradition. Wow. Everyone is free to be true to exactly who they are. 

As with my experiences in Angels Who UpLyft, I was again struck by the power, simplicity, and beauty of accepting differences to embrace peace and humanity. This driver had a thriving life filled with peace and happiness because he chose the mature path of “live and let live.” And let there be no mistake: acceptance is a true marker of love. Anyone who wants to change you doesn’t love you for who you are. 

I am grateful to Emran, Saul, and Dinesh, and to their network of wise drivers; they have shown me through their actions how to authentically celebrate diversity. By each being true to oneself and allowing everyone else the same freedom, we can live in harmony. I am definitely invested in co-creating such a world. I’m pleased to report it’s already evident everywhere I go…from San Francisco to Suva to Sydney, I find beauty through diversity.

If you like what you’re reading, have an uplifting diversity story of your own, or have questions, drop me a note and let’s chat.

*I’ve changed all the names to respect the privacy of these beautiful souls.

We stopped at Volivoli resort to scope out possibilities for a wellness retreat, with our driver Dinesh. It was a beautiful day, but the real beauty came from his sharing of how he respects other religions. Photo Credit: Nathaniel Cornelius