Be the Change You Want to See

It's September 2021, and life feels heavy. Everywhere I turn it seems like conflict and unrest pervade the atmosphere. Angry comments fill every online article and forum. High tensions run within healthcare. Politicians fight amongst themselves. Church members are divided. Families are split. If I'm being completely transparent, I feel tired and run down.

Although I am feeling the strain of life in 2021, the positive side is that it got me thinking. What does all of this mean? Where are we heading? What is important to me? What am I willing sacrifice? What can I compromise on and what must I hold firm? Truthfully, I can't answer all these questions. But what I can say, is that we are on thin ice. If we continue down this path of isolation, blame, and polarization we have trouble coming.

How is it, when I look at someone with opposing views, I see an enemy instead of a friend with a different opinion? Why do I think it's okay to group individuals into categories - one hated and one esteemed? Republicans vs. Democrats, Black vs. White, Vaccinated vs. Unvaccinated, Gun control vs. Firearm freedoms. The list could go on and on.

I've had to ask some hard questions. Do I see people as individuals with unique stories, problems, and experiences? Or do I view them based on their bumper sticker, social media status, or political association? It is dangerous for me to stop viewing another human being as a person very similar to myself. In fact, with most people, I probably have more in common than I do differences.

So now to my main point. I can ponder and question these things from dawn to dusk, but it's doesn't really do any good without action. I've decided that I don't want to live in a world that is filled with hate. And even if I can only change what happens in my home, I am going to promote an atmosphere of kindness. I've decided to challenge myself to try the ideas listed below and I hope you'll join me in this quest.

1) Listen to others with the intent to understand and not respond - sometimes words left unsaid are better.

2) Try to see people as individuals and get to know them on a personal level.

3) Create a home that is filled with beauty and kindness. A place here each person that enters feels welcome.

4) Take a risk to have calm and informative conversations with people of differing opinions - you never know what you'll learn.

5) Kindly and respectfully disagree when necessary.

I recently read an article called "Everyday Abundance" in Magnolia Journal issue no. 20 | forward motion. The article was written by Liz Bell Young and I would like to end this post by quoting some of her inspiring words:

"It's easy, in the middle of our days, to quietly close the door behind us. Easy to hide away or hold back from putting ourselves into the depths of community - because putting ourselves out there often feels like risk... But withholding - actually - is risk. It's a risk when we live our days from a place of scarcity, forever protecting every last bit we have, resisting any outpouring. And it's exhausting; It's a slow walk to a dead end... Imagine a street where driveways and front stoops become open-invite hangouts, firewood is surprise delivered on a cold morning, recipes are doubled and dropped off, and thoughtful questions follow casual greetings when you pass on the street... In these acts of generosity, change will reverberate on both sides. It is expansive, reciprocal, freeing."

Thanks for reading,

Abby