Every year on thanksgiving, as we sit around the feast laden table, our family takes turn sharing what we are thankful for. It is a treasured ritual.
I imagine your family has rituals at thanksgiving too. Whether it's talking about what you are thankful for, or where you have dinner, with whom, or how you decorate your home, buying a locally grown turkey and local veggies or taking a walk to the beach together, there are things that make the holiday meaningful to you.
I imagine your family has rituals at thanksgiving too. Whether it's talking about what you are thankful for, or where you have dinner, with whom, or how you decorate your home, buying a locally grown turkey and local veggies or taking a walk to the beach together, there are things that make the holiday meaningful to you.
North Cowichan is a community of communities, smaller parts of a greater whole -- neighbours who share one thing -- North Cowichan is our home.
As I'm moving deeper into the world of local politics, I'm hearing on the doorstep people's partisan views -- what's on my mind, more and more, is the question: how can we, all of us, become more connected and resilient as we face the daily changes and challenges life brings our way?
As a community of individual's and families, though we each have our own opinions, we basically want some version of the same thing. A healthy, meaningful life which allows us to take care of ourselves and our families.
Lisa Williams said it well, "There is no them, only us."
"Looking past divisive politics and differing views to the person on the other side of the issue may be challenging, but it's not impossible." says Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of the Omega Institute and author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow.
Lesser goes on to say, "Otherising" is the dangerous act of turning someone into the enemy just because he or she looks different, prays different, speaks different, or thinks different. Some of history's most tragic events—wars, genocides, terrorist acts—began with ordinary people demonizing other ordinary people." I would add 'votes different.
As I'm moving deeper into the world of local politics, I'm hearing on the doorstep people's partisan views -- what's on my mind, more and more, is the question: how can we, all of us, become more connected and resilient as we face the daily changes and challenges life brings our way?
As a community of individual's and families, though we each have our own opinions, we basically want some version of the same thing. A healthy, meaningful life which allows us to take care of ourselves and our families.
Lisa Williams said it well, "There is no them, only us."
"Looking past divisive politics and differing views to the person on the other side of the issue may be challenging, but it's not impossible." says Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder of the Omega Institute and author of Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow.
Lesser goes on to say, "Otherising" is the dangerous act of turning someone into the enemy just because he or she looks different, prays different, speaks different, or thinks different. Some of history's most tragic events—wars, genocides, terrorist acts—began with ordinary people demonizing other ordinary people." I would add 'votes different.
This must end. We must work together to solve the issues we are all facing together. One of the ways to learn to work together is to really listen. Really listening isn't always easy. I know, it's one of the things I teach in my professional life. People tell me over and over again, they find it hard and sometimes stressful.
How can we truly listen to someone that has divergent views? Lesser suggests, "Agree to these ground rules: Be curious, conversational and real. Don't persuade or interrupt. Listen, listen, listen.”
As we listen and learn from each other, I pray we move closer to becoming an aware, involved and resilient community, a community of folks that feel safe enough with each other to share ideas openly and to work collaboratively. Neighbours, working together to make our future strong.
That would be something to truly be thankful for. Thank you -- for listening to my ideas, but more importantly, for proactively seeking to understand who the people that are running to serve you are and what they stand for. If you like what you read here, I'd appreciate your vote on November 19th.
Happy Thanksgiving.
~ Kate
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