I just listened to a talk show in which an author and
spiritual leader of sorts was talking about our current political and cultural
environment. She said she did something that on the surface seems admirable,
but beneath the surface—so telling in and of itself.
She said she purposely made lunch dates with people from the
opposite political party from her. She also said they didn't talk about
politics, but just regular life—job, kids, etc. That's fine. Great people can
be found with hugely diverse beliefs; so, hopefully she is learning this.
But WHAT PLANET DOES SHE LIVE ON? She must purposely seclude
herself from socializing or having relationships with people that have
differing beliefs from her own in her everyday life.
Those of us in business, those of us with big families or a
wide range of relationships, have a great advantage over those who stick to
their own tribe so exclusively. Understanding, compassion, and really hearing
others who are different is a learned skill that perhaps many aren't purposely
developing.
Which explains a lot. Where we are now in the political
world is highly divisive. There seems to be very little listening. Each
viewpoint paints the other side in an almost comical, stereotypical way, which
demeans everyone.
We need to really listen with our hearts, to everyone. We
need to understand where others are coming from beyond what leaders say, beyond
what the stereotypes are. It's not enough to put others who disagree with us in
a box and say, "Oh well they think that way because, such and such."
That's condescending.
Listening with compassion heals.
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