“I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one close by belief.”
~ Gerry Spence, American Lawyer and Writer
Reflection:
TL;DR: Our lack of curiosity for others "in the dark" is getting them killed.
Honest question for y'all...feel free to respond and/or share.
What good is light if not to illuminate fear and tackle it head on.
Light itself cannot be an answer...it must lead us to something, like a candle or a flashlight in a dark room.
Furthermore, in that same predicament, what if you have a light but someone else doesn't and they are in danger?
Do you flail about attempting to shine your light on what you THINK they are in fear of, or do you just give them your light and let them so show you?
I'm thoroughly convinced that there are some out there that are determined that THEY KNOW what the true dangers are "in the dark" and that they cannot learn anything new about it, and they refuse to give up their light in fear of what someone else might find lurking.
My fear is mine. My bogeyman is singular. My threat might not be your threat.
The fact is…this world has a myriad of dangers but not everyone is IN danger.
As a man I can, for the most part, confidently walk to my car at night alone.
My femme friends cannot say the same.
As a white person I can manage getting pulled over by the police without much anxiety.
My friends of color cannot say the same.
As a heterosexual person I can have discussions about relationships without worry that I will be considered “dangerous” to young people.
My LGBTQ friends cannot say the same.
You know what, it is true what some say about empathy.
It is dangerous.
Because, once you avail yourself to it’s power and potential, you begin to see danger from other viewpoints, and you begin to realize that centering the human experience on your own is arrogant and wrong.
P.S.
If I haven't explicitly lined it up for you...I'm done with the "love and light" and "raise the vibration" shit. If you're not actively working along the margins, helping and healing along the way, you're not a Light-worker.
I try to limit my dualistic thinking to one a day.
I've hit my limit.
Intention:
Join me in this intention:
Today, I choose to believe others experiences rather than assuming I know what they are going through.
Meditation:
Tuning In to Empathy
Take a few deep, slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel your belly rise and fall with each breath.
Think of someone you interact with regularly, someone you might not always understand, or even disagree with how they live their life.
It could be a colleague, a family member, or even a stranger you see often.
Instead of focusing on your own thoughts and feelings about them, try to see the world from their perspective. What might their day be like? What challenges do they face?
Can you imagine how they might be feeling right now? Are they stressed, happy, frustrated, scared?
Silently offer them a wish for peace, happiness, or whatever feels most appropriate. Perhaps you can energetically offer them your light? Gently bring your attention back to your own breath. Notice any shift in your feelings towards this person. Carry this sense of understanding and kindness with you as you move through your day.
Cultivation:
Here are 3 keys to cultivating empathy.
Active Listening and Curiosity: This goes beyond just hearing what someone says. It involves truly paying attention, asking open-ended questions, and trying to understand their perspective. Imagine yourself stepping into their shoes and seeing the world through their eyes.
Suspending Judgment: We all have biases and assumptions, but true empathy requires putting those aside. Try to avoid jumping to conclusions about someone's feelings or experiences. Instead, focus on understanding their situation without judgement.
Vulnerability and Openness: Sharing your own feelings and experiences can create a deeper connection and foster empathy. This doesn't mean oversharing, but it allows the other person to see you as a human who also experiences emotions.
Appreciation:
Empathy and gratitude are two sides of the same coin. Empathy allows us to step outside ourselves and see the world through another's eyes, feeling their joys and sorrows. This fosters a deep appreciation for the human connection we share.
In turn, gratitude, with its focus on the positive, opens our hearts to receive the kindness and understanding others offer.
Together they strengthen our bonds and foster compassion and kindness in a world that needs it more than ever.
Thanks for the guidance, Mike. It’s a great fit for me today as I participate in Bruce Roger’s retirement celebration and encounter many people who I knew within the high school context 30 years ago but who have lived lives as full as mine since then. None of us are who we were but we all came from who we were. Your post is a good reminder to me to strive to share empathy and gratitude and belief in the experience that others have had.