Following the teachings of John Paul Ledarach and many that you also note - I have been struggling for months with reconciling the hateful rhetoric of someone I thought was decent and kind (following the election results in November). This discussion is helping me to alter my perspective and lean into letting go the harm I felt for myself, for the other marginalized, for so many that are in the pathways of this evolving regime. Alas, we are just beginning down this path as a Nation struggles to reconcile itself. We each step up in ways that align with our values. May goodness and love prevail.
Thanks, Friend. As I've made my way along this exploratory path since March (see https://brightcrow.substack.com/p/open-self-aware-conversation-index) I've been attempting a major shift in how I look at and engage with the actual human beings who make up cuourrrent cultural warfare.
I used to stay on the side of arguing the logic and the political philosophies of the issues. Now I see that the only concrete approach is much more personal, more granular, more intimate and vulnerable.
In others words, I've had to turn the light on myself to observe how my own biases and hurts and resentments get in the way of my having genuine conversation in such fraught times.
I'm learning clumsily to start by liking myself enough, with all my flaws. When I can say to myself, "Yes, I'm like this"; when I can accept this as a sort of uncomfortable baseline from which I start; when I can begin to do that self-care.... Then I can also begin to be as humble as I long for my "opponents" in controversy to be.
People come into our lives and some of them go. We cannot blame ourselves for the differences in philosophy with these people. We must be true to ourselves and our own philosophy and beliefs. I believe that the Lord realizes this and forgives us if we cannot make a go of some relationships. Blaming ourselves for failures in these relationships keeps us from moving forward in our good relationships.
Following the teachings of John Paul Ledarach and many that you also note - I have been struggling for months with reconciling the hateful rhetoric of someone I thought was decent and kind (following the election results in November). This discussion is helping me to alter my perspective and lean into letting go the harm I felt for myself, for the other marginalized, for so many that are in the pathways of this evolving regime. Alas, we are just beginning down this path as a Nation struggles to reconcile itself. We each step up in ways that align with our values. May goodness and love prevail.
Thanks, Friend. As I've made my way along this exploratory path since March (see https://brightcrow.substack.com/p/open-self-aware-conversation-index) I've been attempting a major shift in how I look at and engage with the actual human beings who make up cuourrrent cultural warfare.
I used to stay on the side of arguing the logic and the political philosophies of the issues. Now I see that the only concrete approach is much more personal, more granular, more intimate and vulnerable.
In others words, I've had to turn the light on myself to observe how my own biases and hurts and resentments get in the way of my having genuine conversation in such fraught times.
I'm learning clumsily to start by liking myself enough, with all my flaws. When I can say to myself, "Yes, I'm like this"; when I can accept this as a sort of uncomfortable baseline from which I start; when I can begin to do that self-care.... Then I can also begin to be as humble as I long for my "opponents" in controversy to be.
Blessings, Mike
People come into our lives and some of them go. We cannot blame ourselves for the differences in philosophy with these people. We must be true to ourselves and our own philosophy and beliefs. I believe that the Lord realizes this and forgives us if we cannot make a go of some relationships. Blaming ourselves for failures in these relationships keeps us from moving forward in our good relationships.
Much love,
Libbie