Thank you, R Dooley for identifying what I believe is the single most important action that we in Heather’s Herd need to take: “[T]he real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.” This should be our new “vocation”!
Thank you, R Dooley for identifying what I believe is the single most important action that we in Heather’s Herd need to take: “[T]he real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.” This should be our new “vocation”!
As others have said, it is of critical importance that we forget the labels and the slurs and the general negativity that recent events have, understandably, engendered—on both “sides”. And we must abandon the whole concept of “us” and “them”. There is only one side; it is the side of humanity!
If we put aside our angst and anger, our righteous indignation, our sense of absolute “rightness”, we can approach our family members, our friends and coworkers—and even strangers—with open hearts and open arms, and proceed with the business of healing and reconciliation. With our egos and emotional and intellectual attachments firmly under control, we can begin to listen for the hurt and fear that usually lies beneath the facade of violence and rage.
Once we identify—and identify with—the underlying issues that foster such destructive and divisive words and behavior, we can begin to demonstrate our newfound understanding and compassion. If we can reach that basic and universal level of feelings and need, we can then consult together to find and/or create new common ground to address our mutual challenges.
Thank you, R Dooley for identifying what I believe is the single most important action that we in Heather’s Herd need to take: “[T]he real work of repairing the torn fabric of national unity will need to be done person to person, neighbor to neighbor, co-worker to co-worker.” This should be our new “vocation”!
As others have said, it is of critical importance that we forget the labels and the slurs and the general negativity that recent events have, understandably, engendered—on both “sides”. And we must abandon the whole concept of “us” and “them”. There is only one side; it is the side of humanity!
If we put aside our angst and anger, our righteous indignation, our sense of absolute “rightness”, we can approach our family members, our friends and coworkers—and even strangers—with open hearts and open arms, and proceed with the business of healing and reconciliation. With our egos and emotional and intellectual attachments firmly under control, we can begin to listen for the hurt and fear that usually lies beneath the facade of violence and rage.
Once we identify—and identify with—the underlying issues that foster such destructive and divisive words and behavior, we can begin to demonstrate our newfound understanding and compassion. If we can reach that basic and universal level of feelings and need, we can then consult together to find and/or create new common ground to address our mutual challenges.