I Never Planned on Doing This.

 

I am not the person you would expect to create a blog about healing division in our world. 

For much of my life I actually avoided confrontation. I wanted people to like me, and at times I agreed with them, smiled, and pretended everything was good; I did not understand that authentic, caring, honest truth smacks down confrontational avoidance time after time. 

I have a feeling that I am not alone in struggling to deal effectively with division. I think a few people do a great job of reaching out across differences of opinion, but most, I think, would rather not. 

With polarization high in this world, and struggles rising, now is the time to connect with others who think differently than ourselves. 

Here is what I am doing to learn to hear voices speaking different truths than my own: 

I listen to podcasts from left, center, and right to understand all perspectives. 

I use tools from The Polarization Lab to reflect on my own online behavior.

I recently video conferenced with a politically polar opposite during "America Talks," (and we got along great).

When I have a discussions with someone who thinks differently, I talk clearly, but not insultingly. I ask questions, and seek to understand, as well as be understood. 

I am learning and growing in this area, imperfect as I am; Join me, please. 

Let's talk in a civil manner with our family, friends, and everyone else. 

Lets heal the divide in our world.