Thomas Phinemann, Contributor

Sometimes, we as human beings focus so much on our differences that we forget our many similarities. Truth is, no human being is totally male or female. We are both.

We like to think of real men as being completely male. There is no such thing as a real man or a real woman for that matter. Males and females are inseparably linked. Every man is part woman, and every woman is part man, so we can see ourselves in women and women can see themselves in us.

Before you dismiss all of this as the ranting of a drunk or insane man, I invite readers to stop and think for a while. When we are able to see ourselves in each other and focus on our similarities, rather than our differences, we will be better able to live in peace and harmony.

How it started

Let us go back to how it all started. The sperm from the male fertilises the egg of a woman. Traditionally, males and females must unite for conception to take place. We all started out with male and female energy being in perfect harmony. There was no competition.

A woman has only X chromosomes. She is XX and a man can provide X or Y chromosomes because he is XY. If the egg is fertilised with the Y sperm, a male results; if the egg is fertilised with X chromosomes, a female (XX) results. This is how it all began. Both men and women have X chromosomes. Let's not lose focus of our genesis when we get caught up in gender issues. What is, is, and so it is. With that accepted, we can be at peace.

We are not just who we are as adult human beings; we are who we are from conception. At the moment of fertilisation, our genetic make-up is complete.

Against this background, we honour both our female and male energy and respect women as a part of who we are and the nurturers of life. Each of us, in traditional conception, grew inside of a woman and was nurtured by her, including those of us who do not know our mothers. She nurtured us from conception to birth and that counts. That period counts, even if that is where it all ended.

Inextricably linked

We honour the man who fathered us, even if we have never seen him. Without his sperm, we could not exist. If that's all he did, that counts. He is part of who we are. We are inextricably linked.

Knowing this, we can take a second look at ourselves as men and be responsible for our sperm, knowing that we have the sacred task of procreation. We must be careful about who we are creating. We honour the Creator for this gift and realise that each of us is a gift that keeps on giving. We are creators, too. Then we are able to respect the God within each of us. Then we will be able to see God in one another.

God did not make mirrors. We are the mirrors. When we look into each other's eyes; whom do we see? We see ourselves. We reflect each other. We are all inextricably linked, men and women alike. When we see this, then and only then will we know true respect for all.

Are you man enough to face the facts? Email feedback to: columns@gleanerjm.com.