This is a timely question for me, and in a different way even than I would typically think of "someone different from me" to mean. There is an important person in my life who has an opposite worldview from me - this person owns their default cynicism and I own my default optimism - in ways that we often misunderstand each other's intentions and impacts. I can stretch myself to keep choosing into optimism while practicing empathy and curiosity with my counterpart's shared experiences and views of...
This is a timely question for me, and in a different way even than I would typically think of “someone different from me” to mean. There is an important person in my life who has an opposite worldview from me – this person owns their default cynicism and I own my default optimism – in ways that we often misunderstand each other’s intentions and impacts. I can stretch myself to keep choosing into optimism while practicing empathy and curiosity with my counterpart’s shared experiences and views of the world.
The easiest way for me to learn from someone different from me is to move out of my head and into my heart – and listen intently, compassionately and lovingly from my heart. And to simply allow the flow of a heart-centered conversation. There is no room for judgement or intolerance within the heart, only the head.
Today I had a meeting with a deaf lady. I tought I had prepared well for the conversation. But I learned that even when I thought I had been thinkng about every thing, I had missed to see the room from her perspective.
We sat in a room where no one can look in and see our faces. But our hands could bee seen from the outside. And she was talking with her hands!. Which means: if someone outside the room was familiar with the Sign language of deaf people, they could read her signs and understand w...
Today I had a meeting with a deaf lady. I tought I had prepared well for the conversation. But I learned that even when I thought I had been thinkng about every thing, I had missed to see the room from her perspective.
We sat in a room where no one can look in and see our faces. But our hands could bee seen from the outside. And she was talking with her hands!. Which means: if someone outside the room was familiar with the Sign language of deaf people, they could read her signs and understand what she was talking about!
Im so glad she told me so I could learn from her!
Studying abroad and learning about the culture in Vietnam and Cambodia will help me to empathize with and understand the people's cultures and the diversity within those cultures. Also, studying political science next semester, God-willing, will allow me to understand the history and ideologies behind not only my own politics but that of others. I am also taking classes in cultural psychology next semester, God-willing, and intercultural communication this semester, so this will help me understa...
Studying abroad and learning about the culture in Vietnam and Cambodia will help me to empathize with and understand the people’s cultures and the diversity within those cultures. Also, studying political science next semester, God-willing, will allow me to understand the history and ideologies behind not only my own politics but that of others. I am also taking classes in cultural psychology next semester, God-willing, and intercultural communication this semester, so this will help me understand where the values of different cultures are coming from. I look forward to learning about these various communities and, hopefully, gaining some wisdom and empathy from them.
I was off for an extended medical leave. Before i left i was teaching 12th graders. Now i am returning and will be teaching 7th grade…very different. It is going to be a learning experience for me! I am really looking forward to it. Any advice, Kevin? I know you often work with this age group.
I can stretch myself by giving permission to be unafraid of voices and teachers I’m not familiar with. I start from a place where I thought I knew it “all.” Only from here can I begin to truly grow.
So true, Deb. I have promised to be a more attentive listener. And to quiet my anxiousness to speak because I just might learn something if I give that person my full attention.
By seeing and valuing the beauty of experiencing the enormous variety all around, in every individual expression of Gods creation. Then, the differences are pure enrichment, free of judgement, they are as they are and exist to enrich and nourish our lifes and creation itself. If we can see that we are one choir composed of a broad variety of voices, colors and beings in general, every expression is enriching and so widening my perspective through being and living together on our beautiful planet...
By seeing and valuing the beauty of experiencing the enormous variety all around, in every individual expression of Gods creation. Then, the differences are pure enrichment, free of judgement, they are as they are and exist to enrich and nourish our lifes and creation itself. If we can see that we are one choir composed of a broad variety of voices, colors and beings in general, every expression is enriching and so widening my perspective through being and living together on our beautiful planet.
Thank you, miguelie and Nancy, for your encouraging comment. I am happy that the images I use seem to reach you beyond the words and arrive in a place of beauty in yourself.
Shared beauty, thank you for this joy
This is a timely question for me, and in a different way even than I would typically think of "someone different from me" to mean. There is an important person in my life who has an opposite worldview from me - this person owns their default cynicism and I own my default optimism - in ways that we often misunderstand each other's intentions and impacts. I can stretch myself to keep choosing into optimism while practicing empathy and curiosity with my counterpart's shared experiences and views of...
This is a timely question for me, and in a different way even than I would typically think of “someone different from me” to mean. There is an important person in my life who has an opposite worldview from me – this person owns their default cynicism and I own my default optimism – in ways that we often misunderstand each other’s intentions and impacts. I can stretch myself to keep choosing into optimism while practicing empathy and curiosity with my counterpart’s shared experiences and views of the world.
Listen and breathe.
The easiest way for me to learn from someone different from me is to move out of my head and into my heart – and listen intently, compassionately and lovingly from my heart. And to simply allow the flow of a heart-centered conversation. There is no room for judgement or intolerance within the heart, only the head.
Today I had a meeting with a deaf lady. I tought I had prepared well for the conversation. But I learned that even when I thought I had been thinkng about every thing, I had missed to see the room from her perspective.
We sat in a room where no one can look in and see our faces. But our hands could bee seen from the outside. And she was talking with her hands!. Which means: if someone outside the room was familiar with the Sign language of deaf people, they could read her signs and understand w...
Today I had a meeting with a deaf lady. I tought I had prepared well for the conversation. But I learned that even when I thought I had been thinkng about every thing, I had missed to see the room from her perspective.
We sat in a room where no one can look in and see our faces. But our hands could bee seen from the outside. And she was talking with her hands!. Which means: if someone outside the room was familiar with the Sign language of deaf people, they could read her signs and understand what she was talking about!
Im so glad she told me so I could learn from her!
With patience and humility.
Studying abroad and learning about the culture in Vietnam and Cambodia will help me to empathize with and understand the people's cultures and the diversity within those cultures. Also, studying political science next semester, God-willing, will allow me to understand the history and ideologies behind not only my own politics but that of others. I am also taking classes in cultural psychology next semester, God-willing, and intercultural communication this semester, so this will help me understa...
Studying abroad and learning about the culture in Vietnam and Cambodia will help me to empathize with and understand the people’s cultures and the diversity within those cultures. Also, studying political science next semester, God-willing, will allow me to understand the history and ideologies behind not only my own politics but that of others. I am also taking classes in cultural psychology next semester, God-willing, and intercultural communication this semester, so this will help me understand where the values of different cultures are coming from. I look forward to learning about these various communities and, hopefully, gaining some wisdom and empathy from them.
I was off for an extended medical leave. Before i left i was teaching 12th graders. Now i am returning and will be teaching 7th grade…very different. It is going to be a learning experience for me! I am really looking forward to it. Any advice, Kevin? I know you often work with this age group.
Pausing and genuinely considering, the stretching will inevitably follow.
I can stretch myself by giving permission to be unafraid of voices and teachers I’m not familiar with. I start from a place where I thought I knew it “all.” Only from here can I begin to truly grow.
By giving myself permission to be unafraid and to be open to all that is brought before me. I have much more to learn than I can dream or imagine.
By listening twice as much as speaking. After all, I have two ears and only one mouth!
So true, Deb. I have promised to be a more attentive listener. And to quiet my anxiousness to speak because I just might learn something if I give that person my full attention.
I can stretch myself by being the one to initiate the conversation. Say hello and smile.
I like the wisdom in Verses on the Faith Mind: Don’t seek the truth, just cherish no opinions.
Be open and question my assumptions. Be curious and interested in others.
By seeing and valuing the beauty of experiencing the enormous variety all around, in every individual expression of Gods creation. Then, the differences are pure enrichment, free of judgement, they are as they are and exist to enrich and nourish our lifes and creation itself. If we can see that we are one choir composed of a broad variety of voices, colors and beings in general, every expression is enriching and so widening my perspective through being and living together on our beautiful planet...
By seeing and valuing the beauty of experiencing the enormous variety all around, in every individual expression of Gods creation. Then, the differences are pure enrichment, free of judgement, they are as they are and exist to enrich and nourish our lifes and creation itself. If we can see that we are one choir composed of a broad variety of voices, colors and beings in general, every expression is enriching and so widening my perspective through being and living together on our beautiful planet.
What a beautiful view, Ose. Your writing is quite lovely, too.
I agree with you miguelie. Ose does have a beautiful way with expression.
Thank you, miguelie and Nancy, for your encouraging comment. I am happy that the images I use seem to reach you beyond the words and arrive in a place of beauty in yourself.
Shared beauty, thank you for this joy
By keeping my mouth shut and my listening ears open.
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