To say that we live in a time of division is an understatement.
Kind of like saying that the South Pole can be chilly.
If we’re serious about not adding to the growing polarization, here are some simple things we can do to help bridge some of these divides.
The first thing we can do is to let go of the need to win.
This means seeking out opportunities for honest conversation rather than looking for chances to engage in debate or ideological flexing.
When we encounter someone with a differing viewpoint our first instinct shouldn’t be to try to change their mind.
If we sincerely ask them what they’ve experienced that has shaped their thinking, we may just find that their worldview has developed around instances of real pain or injustice.
Hearing them out doesn’t mean that we’re rejecting our own principles.
We’re simply allowing someone to freely explain their position without forcing them to defend it.
When this is done face to face, it becomes nearly impossible to dismiss another’s viewpoint as evil or stupid.
We may still disagree but we’ve broken the cycle of seeing everyone with a differing opinion as an adversary.
More importantly, we’ve shown that we are willing to abide by the Golden Rule in treating others as we’d want to be treated.
This simple approach helps us reclaim our own humanity while breaking down ideological barriers that tempt us into reducing others to one-dimensional stereotypes.
You may also enjoy Latter-day Voices, another quality publication in the Fifty-two Seven Alliance family.
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