I don't know about you,
But for me,
These last few years have felt very divisive.
It feels like there are two really loud signs to a story,
And it's heavy.
I know that in myself,
And I see that in loved ones around me,
That people are tired and feel disconnected.
And to be honest,
This was and continues to be a really tricky feeling for me to feel that there's so much separation between us,
And if somebody doesn't think the same way as us,
That we are quick to dismiss them.
I was listening to somebody speak the other day,
And they were talking about how these two sides,
Or this polarization that's seeming to unravel,
Especially in Western culture right now.
It's dangerous because we can't all come together and sit at the same table and have a conversation.
And so then we retreat back to our little sound chambers with people that agree with us.
That think the same way as us.
And we only hear those voices.
And we also let misinformation metastasize in these little echo chambers.
And I've been guilty of it myself for things that I think are right and just,
And people that are really quick to disagree with me.
I find that sometimes I can,
You know,
Separate them from me and think,
You know,
I can't believe that person thinks that way.
How could they think that?
And I'm trying to watch myself get caught in these cycles because how will we move forward if we can't sit at a table with people we don't agree with,
And at least have a conversation?
Not that we need to agree,
But can we come together and can we be willing to say that I never thought of it like that?
And so I definitely don't have the answer to any of these big questions,
But even though it wasn't always my first reaction,
I'm really finding now that we need to be able to sit together.
And it's not easy.
It's not always easy,
But it's important.
I talked to my therapist about this recently as well,
And was talking about how I felt a little bit isolated and kind of distraught over this feeling of division.
And she said something that I found really helpful.
She said,
There are things that are coming to an end that are dying right now,
And we can try and stop them,
Try and stop them.
But some things we can't stop.
And so can we put our energy into what is being born from this?
Can we be part of what is coming next?
And I thought that was a really beautiful way to look at it,
And a beautiful way for me to move out of a bit of the apathy that I was stuck in,
Thinking,
What can I do?
That you do the little that each person can do.
And so how can you be part of what is being born?
And that sounds like a really deep question,
I think,
And maybe a daunting question.
And I don't think it has to be that complicated.
Can we open the door for a stranger?
Or maybe I've tried to stop wearing headphones when I go out in public and just talk to people and hear different perspectives and be willing to sit at a table with somebody that maybe I wouldn't have done before?
And can we be part of the softness and the compassion and the understanding that's needed to move forward to create beautiful things together and help close the divide a little bit?
And it doesn't mean you have to agree with everybody.
So all this to say,
Really,
Is can we start with the little that we can do?
Can you walk out of listening to this and spread some kindness,
Some curiosity,
Some understanding to your day and to the day of people around you?
And maybe let's turn this into a bit of a practice.
So if you're somewhere you can close your eyes,
Close down your eyes.
And simply notice what you notice.
As you're ready,
Begin to inhale a little bit fuller.
Allow your exhale to escape from your nose or from your mouth and let yourself soften.
Take a moment to picture somebody or something you love,
Maybe a pet or a loved one sitting across from you.
And without words,
But just with a felt sense,
Can you send love and compassion and beauty their way?
Let it wash over them.
Maybe you can see it wash over them.
And see how this ripple,
This kindness you're sending them might impact the rest of their day.
Maybe you notice a change on their face.
Or lightness in their smile.
And then can you replace that person in the chair with somebody that maybe you have a bit of a tricky time with?
And can you allow yourself to send them the same grace and compassion and understanding and the willingness to listen?
And maybe you picture how that lands in that person.
And finally,
Can you allow yourself to sit in that chair in front of you?
And can you pour love and understanding and reverence for that version of you sitting in front of you?
And what would it look like for you to see things through kinder,
More curious,
More compassionate eyes?
And would it help to soften your inner landscape and lighten some of the burden that you might be carrying?
And I know it's not always easy to share the same feelings with somebody that you love,
With maybe somebody that you have a trickier time with,
Or people you disagree with.
And that's okay.
But is there a way we can soften the edges a little bit to meet people somewhere,
Somehow,
So we can at least talk,
Even if we don't agree?
So we can try and find a way to move forward together.
I definitely don't have all the answers.
But I am so grateful that you were here to listen.
And if you have any advice you can share or any thoughts of how we can move forward together,
How we can all move forward together and create a place that is safe and equitable and beautiful,
Please feel free to leave a note somewhere here.
Send me a message or leave a note in the comments for other people to read.
But I would love to hear from you.
Thank you so much for being here.
I hope you have a beautiful rest of your day.
