Bold Steps

In the midst of political chaos and climate struggle, it does the heart good to spend time in the company of people working to make things better.

Lately it seems more people are willing to set aside party allegiance and religious dogma to find common ground. That is a hopeful outcome of this confusing time. Perhaps recognizing there is no silver bullet solution is becoming the first step to having real communication.

People who exchange angry sound bites on social media may find these statements laughable, but I am not talking about pre-scripted, regurgitated and rehearsed sound bites. I am talking about communication that comes from the heart and is driven by love of place and love of people.

We must use the tool of time to engage with those who welcome conversation without prejudice or fear. We can call upon people who are willing to set aside belief and long held, but often-unfounded “fact”, to bridge the gap of misunderstanding that divides us.

It has been a pleasure to participate in some very real conversations of late. One is Wisconsin Partners’ monthly gathering called Kickapoo Conversations. Currently the discussions are about the need for housing in the Driftless. All voices are welcomed and people of varied backgrounds attend. I have found it to be a safe place for ideas to land and to take root.

Whether it’s the group working towards a moratorium on frac sand mining in Monroe County, or the committee in the Town of Forest grappling with how best to protect the township, I have been enriched by the respect people are offering one another even in disagreement.

And I am learning from everyone, even those who walk different paths than my own. In this time of incivility take the bold steps to be human again.

Talk to one another.