Just for fun … What do YOU see?
Perhaps if we stopped setting ourselves enormous anxiety-producing quantitative goals and instead focused on building fewer but deeper relationships, across difference, we’d actually shift more hearts and minds. Charlie Wood (daily quote for 11 April from Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service)
For several months my community has been engaged (‘embroiled’ says Muse) in a debate over whether to incorporate as a town. It’s not a new question and has been looked at from time to time since the 1990’s. I’ve been reviewing that history and the various reports created to grasp the issue more deeply personally. I’m talking with folks on both ‘sides’.
I know from my experience in government early in my career and from serving on the board of the local water and sanitation district several years ago just how challenging governance is. I can imagine in the current climate of political discourse that it’s more difficult today. Indeed, many decline to serve because of this environment.
Self-governance which involves active participation from all community members presents even greater challenges.
When I read the above quote yesterday, familiar on one hand, a question that I’ve set aside for a while popped up and let me know that it wouldn’t go away: Where are you willing to engage with others across differences? Indeed, where am I willing to reach out to discover common ground rather than to simply seek information? What is possible when I hold this question with sincere curiosity?
On a day that finds me unexpectedly needing to be on the road, I take the question with me for my drive through the beautiful Colorado landscape and I invite you to muse with me: What’s possible in our world if we each take a step or two in this direction? What if our enormous quantitative goals shifted to building peace through qualitative relationships right in our own back (and front) yards?
Happy musing! I suspect there’s more to explore …