The state of the world is rough. COVID, politics, isolation, polarization. So much of this can be approached with AND as well. I recently shared some thoughts after some back and forth on social media from this picture of my first COVID-19 vaccine record. I consider myself having a diverse set of friends (at least on social media – unfortunately, there is no doubt that my day-to-day life and intimate group tends to lean fairly close to my own set of political and social beliefs). There were definitely some intense comments back and forth. Here is what I had to say:
I want to engage in this conversation in a real way! I completely agree that we are living in scary times and that we all have to make decisions based upon what we believe and trust. I complete agree that we should not make choices out of fear. What is so interesting to me is that we both agree that one of the challenges that we face is the defensiveness and polarity of our world right now. We tend to take sides and hold tight. And that is why I’m engaging in this conversation here on Facebook (which I typically do not do). I think that the intensity of “sides” is what needs to change! We need to talk. We need to share. We need to present research and data and facts. AND recognize that we ultimately may have FACTS that actually contradict each other. AND at the end of the day, we have to decide what matters most- our compassion, love and generosity to others OR standing in what we each, individually believe as truth? I tend to lean towards the former. Why must we be so cruel towards the other? At least that is the way that these debates tend to go. I can disagree with you AND still value your opinion and vis-a-versa. When we shut each other out and refuse to have healthy dialogue and debate, that is when we become defensive and polarized. I’ll conclude with an offer to keep this conversation going. It doesn’t have to be here, in this public way. I want to continue to be able to have this dialogue if you want. Comment here, email, call, text, FB messenger. Let’s not isolate and shut each other out.
S.t.a.r. Creative 