Two weeks ago, we were waking up to the surprising election of Donald Trump. Some of us still may be.
The news and social media are full, full of opinions, stories, prognostications. I wrote a blog, but didn’t post it. I decided to sit and listen instead to the voices inside and outside. I have been digesting in relative silence, my words leaking out on the page, not my mouth. As I come up out of the depths of reflection, I listen to an inner voice. Does my voice have something to add to the conversation? The answer, YES! In addition to words of support for others who are sharing their stories, I do have words to add. To the world, to the conversation, I add this:
As a life-journeyer and soul-searcher, I’ve picked up some wisdom along the way. What I know is that we have no real power or right to change others, we only have power and the right to change ourselves. What I know is that everyone has a perspective that is real and meaningful to them, even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else. What I’ve come to understand is that in sharing our stories, we get a much more expansive view of this life, this world, even of ourselves. If we share our stories in a space of love, we can co-create space that is beautiful and life-giving.
Two quotes come to mind as I write:
“You cannot truly believe something until you have considered NOT believing it.” ~Dr.Collins
“"Whatever is happening on a global level, is happening on a national level, is happening on a community (local) level, is happening on a personal level." ~Dr.Standley
CHANGE! We in the USA (and similarly in other parts of the world in the last few months) stood at the polls and voted for change. We got what we voted for. It may not have been the way we envisioned it, but CHANGE we have.
Personally, I envisioned the rise of women in power. It’s happening!! Not in the way I thought it would happen but, OH MY, it is happening!! Do you see it? Do you hear it? Do you feel it? Inside of you?
I like this quote from Frans Johansson:
“The best ideas emerge when very different perspectives meet.”
Here’s a personal story. I remember when I returned from the mission field. I moved from Mzuzu, Malawi and Kijabe, Kenya to Birmingham, Alabama. When I say “mission field”, I’m more clearly defining where I was coming from mentally, emotionally. I’m describing the social and cultural environment of the Southern Baptist Church abroad, the environment in which I was raised.
I was steeped in Christianity. A fact, not a judgement. Christianity was lovingly taught and modeled. Christian stories, lessons, and practices were part of my very being. I woke up to start the day with devotions. Bible reading and prayer were part of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Talk of Bible study, ministry, and missionary work were part of the daily conversation, my parents work and labor of love. Every day ended with a family Bible story. And that was just the week days. I knew nothing other than the Bible as the Word of God. And, I never even thought to consider otherwise, until after college.
One day my best friend from college (I didn’t have friends from earlier in my life. I moved around too much and left so many friends that I only considered friends that were in my proximity in the moment.), anyway, my best friend from college and I were talking about religion and beliefs. She said to me, with some authority, that the Bible was written by regular men and that it may not all be true. After all, it had been written so long ago that there was no one left alive to attest to its origin, nor was there anyone left alive that remembers the authors let alone Jesus. I felt the bottom drop right out of my stomach. The proverbial carpet jerked out from under me. I physically trembled. Terror engulfed me. What if she was right? My entire world was a sham if any part of what she said was true. I wanted to die. Sounds dramatic, but that is how strong the fear was. The very thought that what I had believed to be true all my life might not be exactly as I understood it felt life threatening.
After the emotions and a lot of time had passed, the topic came up again with my friend’s father. He lovingly encouraged me to listen to others point of view and said that we cannot truly believe in something until we have considered disbelieving it. I felt the truth in his logic. I had never considered anyone’s view but my own as truth.
When I was finally brave enough to really listen to other points of view it was scary but here’s what happened. Did my beliefs change? Yes! My belief in God deepened, expanded. My beliefs about God and Jesus are richer, more life-giving to me today than ever before.
What was the key? Suspending judgement and deeply listening to something different. Sincerely considering another’s point of view. Asking clarifying questions in the places I still didn’t understand. Patience to stay in that place of listening until I felt the “Oh, I get it” in my body. It’s the place of standing in someone else’s shoes. Compassion inhabits that place.
I did not have to turn away from my beliefs. I did not have to accept someone else’s truth for my own. My own beliefs expanded as I gained compassionate understanding of another’s perspective. Something more expansive, more life giving, emerged in me.
When YOU change, the WORLD changes.
Whether you voted for Hillary or Trump or one of the other five people on the ballot, are you ready to engage in this change? Are you ready to engage with others who have a very different perspective than you? True change will occur when we stop saying “they are wrong, we are right.” True change will occur when we sit together and listen.
Who’s with me?
Gratefully,
JT
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