Imagine watching nine massive steamships for the very first time in your life, something you never knew existed, approaching Edo bay near modern-day Tokyo in February of 1854. Commodore Matthew C. Perry landed his ships in Japan, uninvited mind you, in an effort to force diplomatic relations with the Shogun and open trade.  

After over two hundred years of isolating itself from the rest of the world, Japan and the average Japanese citizen knew nothing of other countries or races. Witnessing white soldiers march off their metal ships and make the demand “Take me to your leader.” must have felt close to aliens from outer space landing on our planet.

The scare tactic worked. There was no way Japanese forces could have stood a chance against the might of the U.S. military at that time. On March 31, The Treaty of Kanagawa was signed between America and Japan. The country was open to the world. Even though it would take many years to establish international trade, Japanese people were thrust into accepting a new truth. They were not alone in the universe. 

What limiting beliefs are you holding on to with little knowledge or experience to back them? The world is forcing us all to open our minds. Experiencing the pandemic and watching racial injustice and protests are making us realize we’re all human. Making us see that caring about the health and well being of people is what really matters.

The truths of our modern world have landed. Open your heart.