I was listening to a compelling point of view the other day. It was about politics, which, as we all know, is currently a very volatile subject. I have my beliefs and opinions, and have been known to be rather strident about them, but what do I really know? I heard some ideas which I’d never considered, some beliefs from ‘the other side’. I didn’t change my basic stance, but it added color to my previously black and white thinking.
It’s an interesting thing, learning to see things through the eyes of another. It’s a basic element, I think, of learning true compassion. How can we communicate if we’ve already decided that whatever the other one says is wrong? It only makes it harder for me to break out of dualistic thinking.
My belief is that we are all One. One Love, showing up in a plethora of shapes, sizes, and hues. So many opinions, so much staunch, immovable thinking. If I think I’m an expert in anything, I’m only fooling myself! If I’ve convinced myself that you’re wrong even before you speak, I’ve packed my ears with cotton and will not be able to hear you. That serves no one and changes nothing.
If I am able to put myself in your shoes, to ‘walk a mile in your moccasins’, I can then grow in understanding. My opinions matter little—they only serve to keep me small.
Today, I’m grateful for the insights given to me through the voices of others.
No comments:
Post a Comment