It is not the temporary loss of the screen that is today’s
topic. It is rather the changed view out the window. You see, I moved my laptop
computer to the dinette right next to the sliding glass doors leading to the
patio. As I write I look up and out at the great outdoors. Onto the patio and
the grill, the flower pots and patio furniture. And the bushes and trees, and
squirrels, chipmunks and birds. The lawn. The landscape that changes only with
the seasons.
In one fell swoop (literally!), the ‘landscape’ changed, the
screen is gone, and suddenly I can see more yard, other buildings, a
streetscape, more skyline. The comings and going of dawns and sunsets;
reflections of light on clear skies and cloud covers; the shifting of textures
associated with the movements of sunlight. Interesting and refreshing. Good for
thought. Pondering. Wondering.
So my landscape has changed for a while. Ideas have fuller
range. I can see farther so my words can travel further. All because the
‘landscape’ or hardscape has changed a little.
Try noticing where people sit routinely during their day.
They see the world from that perspective on a regular basis. So do you. For a
change move to their seat before they arrive! Sit in their spot. Look at what
they see each day. Think how this forms their perspective, or might. Think also
on the same for you and your usual seat.
What does this say about our human nature? About our
thinking process. The influences on our thinking? Maybe a lot or maybe very
little. But influence is probable. To what effect is not measurable. But it is
still a part of who and what we are isn’t it? Interesting to think about. At
least for awhile.
Use that idea, though. It is the kernel of something larger.
A seed for understanding another person and her/his mindset. The first bolt or
structural beam of a bridge? A connection to another point of view? We can
hope.
Yes, I’m interested in building bridges these days. What you
know and feel about the world is important to you. What Joe or Mary feel about
the same thing is important to them. And what I know and feel about those
topics is important to me. But if we are each howling in the wind, no one
hears; no one listens; no one can make out what we are each saying. Or
intending. Or are.
We will lose – continue to lose, actually – the core of the
conversation, the needed interchange among us. We need to share life. We need
to do so interactively and inventively. It challenges the brain. It aerates the
synapses of the neurological core of our minds. We need the stimulus. Not the
animus.
Rubbing competing ideas with one another is work but it has
rewards. We both better understand something. We each bring something to that
table, that meeting of the minds. And it is work that needs doing. Not easy or
comfortable. But challenging and in the end exhilarating.
Bridges to somewhere. To Understanding.
If we don’t ‘get’ someone’s point of view, perhaps we have
allowed the impasse of disagreement to travel too far? If so, stop and back up.
Find that point where we once were in agreement on a related issue. Think how
that issue relates to the current impasse. How did we get so far apart on this
one? Perhaps there are intermediate steps we should find and revisit and get
comfortable with between us. Then move forward? Is this extending the bridge?
This is tedious work to do. We build little permanence
alone. It takes more than one person to construct something of value and long
life. Better that we have more supporters than less. And we need to begin this
work now, each day. Adding to yesterday’s accomplishment and agreement. Doing
this together, intentionally. So we can enjoy the accomplishment together! We
can see what we have built.
The problems we face together have been building a long
time. They need attention from all of us working toward solutions that are
possible and matter in the long run of time.
I know we can do this. But when will we be ready to? How
many tomorrows must be wasted before we get down to business?
March 12, 2012
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