Daily Question, July 13 How might the current struggles of the world be inviting change in service of individual and collective thriving? How might I lean into these changes? 26 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Mica11 months agoMicaI got an email inviting me to propose edits for a climate statement by an organization I belong to. I did it! It feels so good to do something other than pass by all the emails inviting me to do so many things. 3 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioNice, Mica! 🙂 1 Reply Malag11 months agoMalagI can’t brain this question. I don’t think even caffeine will assist. 5 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioThey are sometimes very academic-sounding, aren’t they? How are you today, Malag? 0 Reply Malag11 months agoMalagAm doing good, Holly in Ohio, just spotted your comment now. Thanks for asking and I hope you are also. 1 Reply dcdeb11 months agodcdebSeems like a big task. Don’t know. It seems that this would require an understanding of where we are headed and i don’t think anyone knows this. 4 Reply Elaine11 months agoElaineLeaning into the “struggles of the world” ie engaging with civic and political affairs is as natural to me as breathing. My leanings are focused these days and years toward re-learning Canadian history as a third generation settler Canadian on the path to being an honourable ally to Indigenous Canadians. 5 Reply Ose11 months agoOseSupposing that opening up to "the other" and to meet with loving kindness, this could help change the struggles which might be frozen in whatsoever patterns, which prevent peace. To change perspective. In my experience, in conflicts of any kind, it is to first make peace inside myself with the opposing side(s), through opening up to love, understanding and forgiveness, before there is a chance at least for peace outside and then to do whatever is required to support a positive outcome for all co...Supposing that opening up to “the other” and to meet with loving kindness, this could help change the struggles which might be frozen in whatsoever patterns, which prevent peace. To change perspective. In my experience, in conflicts of any kind, it is to first make peace inside myself with the opposing side(s), through opening up to love, understanding and forgiveness, before there is a chance at least for peace outside and then to do whatever is required to support a positive outcome for all concerned, God willing. Read More5 Reply BasicMarsh11 months agoBasicMarshBe the change you wish to see in the world – Gandhi 9 Reply Lauryn11 months agoLaurynCovid comes to mind here….it’s affected all of us around the world….it’s changed how we buy goods, how we maintain our personal relationships, how we do our jobs….some of these changes are here to stay. I guess it’s also allowed for many of us to have more solo time. I think we have no choice but to just go with the flow….not try to resist or force anything too much. 7 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioI thought of sharing this because of some other posts this morning. It is about how I am trying to remain peaceful in a society that doesn't always seem to want peace. This week as I went to pay for gasoline in person, I was wearing a mask, as I have continued to do in stores, even though I am vaccinated. The cashier tried to ridicule me for wearing it before I even spoke. I just said quietly, "I know, but I'm just worried about children with the Delta variant spreading." She continued, in a lo...I thought of sharing this because of some other posts this morning. It is about how I am trying to remain peaceful in a society that doesn’t always seem to want peace. This week as I went to pay for gasoline in person, I was wearing a mask, as I have continued to do in stores, even though I am vaccinated. The cashier tried to ridicule me for wearing it before I even spoke. I just said quietly, “I know, but I’m just worried about children with the Delta variant spreading.” She continued, in a loud, somewhat angry (or at least worked up voice) about how she’s gotten in trouble for voicing her opinion but she’s entitled to free speech and if they try to “close down again THEY CAN JUST SHOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!” And she said, just about shouting, a lot of other things. Oh boy, she did opinionate all over the place. Surprisingly, though this was unpleasant and certainly inappropriate behavior with a customer, I didn’t feel threated or shaken. Or persuaded, lol, by her arguments, which I’m convinced were somewhat parroted. I think on this subject she could get angry in an empty room. She was clearly trying to get confrontation from me, but not succeeding in either that nor in getting me to flee. I didn’t argue. I said thank you for my receipt in the usual manner. I have changed my service in the last two years. Though I have been working to lower climate impact and working for equalities in much the same way, I have changed in how I respond to the embedded societal conflicts and deeply seated prejudices. I know you can’t argue with crazy. But I also know not to give up, and that isolating ourselves to like-minded islands of people is not helpful at all. Segregation never works against prejudice. Like dealing with someone who is ill and can’t help it, I need to have patience, I need to listen, I need to be non-confrontational, …actually I kind of need to act like a friend and be a friend. Listening is important. Not discounting opinions because they happen not to agree with mine, is… difficult…. but an important service. Remembering that we are all part of a larger family, is important. How can we collectively thrive, if we see no collective but are only taking sides? All peace after conflict begins with listening to, and eventually discussing, the hard stuff. It begins with acknowledging wounds that may or may not be caused by us, and trying to find resolution and justice. It begins with not just thinking of our self, our position, our wants. We have much to teach, for our world is very ignorant right now in many things, but listening comes first, I think. We have things to learn, too. Even though I only said one thing to the lady, I think she heard me… not in the moment because she was in knee-jerk response, but perhaps it will help. We will see when I go in there again for gasoline. After writing this, I am actually hoping to see her again, and learn what she is like as a person, and seeing if she reacts the same way to a mask. Read More8 Reply Mica11 months agoMicaGo, Holly!! I’m actually amazed at how nearly everyone still seems to be wearing masks at my Safeway. 3 Reply Malag11 months agoMalagThankfully Holly you didn’t throw gasoline on the fire of the fear that seems to have been behind that visceral anger! 4 Reply Dusty Su11 months agoDusty SuBless you. Xx Respond don’t react! 6 Reply Katrina11 months agoKatrinaMy question for myself in individual settings has become, “How can I help to de-escalate this situation?” or “How an I help to improve this situation?” Change of all kinds brings anxiety, pain, grief, and sometimes distrust, and defensiveness. I lean in with these questions for myself. 7 Reply Carla11 months agoCarlaI do not hear invitations to change. I hear & see protests with demands in the streets where I live (Minnesota).. The way things have been have never worked & do need to change. I lean in to continue to be a change agent one smile, nod, greeting at a time. I lean in to engage in difficult conversations. I lean in to do (more) work one by one as I am led by Sophia. 6 Reply Maureen11 months agoMaureenI can only quote from Mother Teresa this morning, “Every act of love is a work of peace, no matter how small. If I keep her words with me during the day I can interrupt knee jerk reactions and judgement to those around me. 9 Reply Holly in Ohio11 months agoHolly in OhioThat is such a beautiful quote, Maureen. Thank you for sharing. 🙂 5 Reply SK11 months agoSKGreat question for our times. For me it would be about “leaning in” to listen, emphasize, maybe even sympathize but never to take on the responsibility of a culture. What I do is one-on-one relationships. If it works, ok. If it doesn’t, I don’t label the entire culture or race or gender or age group as unworthy. My heart is tuned to God who has whatever “this” is, well in hand. I thrive because others thrive. I am because you are. 5 Reply Howie Geib11 months agoHowie GeibWow. What a provocative question. Our divisions are so intense and deeply held beliefs are so passionately held that I cannot think of saying anything helpful (this is my third attempt)and stay within the posting guidelines of the site. So the ‘leaning in’ for me is perhaps the effort it takes to stay silent in the face of all the current ‘struggles’. 5 Reply Christine11 months agoChristineFor me, by trying to serve God by using the talents God gave. My way to reach out to the world. I hope I understood the question correctly.🤔 5 Reply devy11 months agodevyThe pandemic has in some way, brought people together in a common cause but in other ways it has polarized people. Individuals spreading conspiracy theories about the vaccine or misrepresentation of information is the Thorn to controlling this virus. The lack of vaccine distribution to poorer countries been another negative factor. I hope that after seeing the success of vaccinations in areas around the world as here in Canada will remove any skepticism that some people have. I pray that the wea...The pandemic has in some way, brought people together in a common cause but in other ways it has polarized people. Individuals spreading conspiracy theories about the vaccine or misrepresentation of information is the Thorn to controlling this virus. The lack of vaccine distribution to poorer countries been another negative factor. I hope that after seeing the success of vaccinations in areas around the world as here in Canada will remove any skepticism that some people have. I pray that the wealthy countries will now help the rest of the world by providing the vaccines as a demonstration of compassion and collectively helping humanity. Read More8 Reply Gregoire11 months agoGregoireThe struggles of the world today are no different than they have been through all the time. The current generation just sees them as new to them. For me it’s the same Anthem every day. Trust in God that he will bring good out of the darkness and look for ways to love, with the understanding that one can only love when forgiveness is constant. 9 Reply Michele11 months agoMicheleI thought of the pandemic and the current situation in Cuba … we need togetherness to get through these, as well as, any struggles worldwide. 6 Reply Don Jones11 months agoDon JonesWithout a doubt through our individual and collective creative expression. We have been conditioned around self first, collecting wealth and possessions, not-in-my-backyard, etc., etc. Moving to individual and collective self expression through the context of benefiting others and the collective will bring forward many creative solutions to the problems of the world and responding to climate catastrophes, etc. It will break down barriers and bring a solution focus front and center. 5 Reply Kevin11 months agoKevinI am struggling with today’s question and will enjoy reading how others answer it. On one hand, today’s question makes no real sense to me. In my view, it’s an intellectual statement inventing a problem to solve. On the other hand, and in my view, it doesn’t matter what the current struggles of the world are. What matters, is reaching out to assist and help others, wherever they may be no matter what the current struggle is. We need to help our sisters and brothers where they are at thei...I am struggling with today’s question and will enjoy reading how others answer it. On one hand, today’s question makes no real sense to me. In my view, it’s an intellectual statement inventing a problem to solve. On the other hand, and in my view, it doesn’t matter what the current struggles of the world are. What matters, is reaching out to assist and help others, wherever they may be no matter what the current struggle is. We need to help our sisters and brothers where they are at their moment of need, period. Read More13 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. 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