It’s an art to be able to listen to another point of view and not have it run through the filters of our own personal belief. It’s an art. And it’s possible. The fabricated spin of our differences crumble when we are willing to see the humanity of another.
We’re at it again. The political sideshow is on: the posturing, the endless stream of money, and the division, essential to the existence of our two-party system, is in full swing.
But there is an antidote to this nightmare called politics. It’s called “community”.
I ventured to Wikipedia to look up “civic duty” and was surprised to see that it was distinctly separated from the explanation of “community engagement”.
This division in our thinking is problematic.
This week I attended three meetings. One was a town board meeting designed to address procedure and policy. The other two were meetings to uncover the needs of the communities we live in and to find fruitful ways to help one another.
Community spirit was lacking in the board meeting. The policies considered and enacted were not designed to help the community at large, but rather to support a few individuals and their economic gain. The other two meetings were collaborative, and allowed the free flow of conversation, even in disagreement. The spirit of unity, which is the foundation of community, was strong.
Could it be that by limiting our civic engagement to procedures, policies and votes we have left out the most significant ingredient: community?
Could it be that our political apathy and angst is a direct result of fragmentation and isolation among us?
Maintaining our independent silo is in direct conflict to creating what Dr. Martin Luther King referred to as “Beloved Community.”
And if this is so, what steps can we each take to foster community once more?
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let kindness win 