Try to Understand

There are many things happening in the world I do not understand. There are many divergent opinions and everyone thinks they are right. The problem sometimes with being SURE we are RIGHT is that we can fail to listen, understand and perhaps learn something. Our minds can be completely closed because we are so SURE.

In a family- it can be ‘my way or the highway’ and we might actually cut off relationship with someone we care about. Why? Often just because we don’t want to listen or hear what someone else, even a loved one, is experiencing.

In a neighborhood- we might refuse to acknowledge a neighbor, smile, lend a hand etc. because they are ‘different’ and we don’t take the time to reach out with any compassion or curiosity.

In a work environment- we might cold shoulder or avoid a coworker because their hair, style of dress, language or music choice (and so on) are different than ours. We could learn something about another but it’s easier to not!

In our current political environment there are many voices and many perspectives. In this great nation we have had a history of inclusion and most of us have come from ‘somewhere else!’ Its easy though, to be suspicious of people different than ourselves. What do we miss in our ability to learn and grow when whole groups of people’s voices are silenced?

Its the easier way to hole up with like minded people and think we are RIGHT. If you find yourself cutting people off. Writing people off. Avoiding people. Being afraid of differences. Perhaps come in an talk to a counselor. At heart, all human beings  want the same things, safety, shelter, opportunity, friendship, family. Believe it or not- we are ALL more the same than we are different.

We will all get along better if we listen to understand before we talk.