Agreed that the possibilities are endless! As I have mentioned before, I work for a very diverse company. We in the last year have added many ERG’s (Employee Resource Groups) of so many different kinds and cultures. It is amazing to see what each team has Brought to the Table” in such a short time span. So many learning opportunities for all of us!
Shifting the focus outside ourself to “we” creates the possibility of intimacy with others. In intimacy, openness, listening, mutual reflection, and some sort of deep solidarity is nurtured. Out of that intimacy, and including all our differences a peace toward and action for the other is born.
Most of my thinking is inward. Maybe
not such a good thing. I guess it’s a
balance, like everything else. When I
do think of others, it helps put my life
in perspective.
Ah…synchronicity! As often happens in my life (when I’m paying attention) this question is timely for me today and I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect upon it.
We recently moved to a new 55+ community, in a new state with new…..everything! So different from where I spent the first 65 years of my life. I’m grateful we are here because we moved 2,000 miles across the country to be near our daughters who have settled here. And it has been a joy and a blessing. But, I have experienced epic social anxiety since moving here and I’m just slowly coming out of my self-imposed cocoon. Today I will be meeting for lunch with a group of 5 other ladies and I have prayed this morning for the mindset of seeing each one of them through God’s eyes, which of course is Love. Shifting my focus from “me” with all my anxieties, quirks and imperfections to a collective “we”, all of us human yet with a spark of divinity, will help me as we gather together. I will strive to be an attentive listener…perhaps this is my calling for such a time as this.
Everything is easier with “we” – but we begins with me. We delight in collective brain power, and collective energy. WE can get more things accomplished….and bring solutions to the table. As Kevin said with “WE”- Everything is possible.
Reading the comments before mine, I appreciate the positive perspectives. My mind went to both ends of the spectrum of possibilities: It’s possible that the collective we will succeed in changing our habits, structures, economies, and systems so we begin to bend the curve on the climate crisis and other massive problems.
And it’s possible we won’t.
I’m a pragmatic optimist. I get up in the morning ready to do what I can–to do my part with my “me”–and I know my work contributes to shifting the “we”.
I ran across a quotation a couple of days that fits here:
This question is tied to yesterday’s. My living comforts are because of “we”. The “me” comes in when I enhance the object/event with my style.
We are so entangled. Is there anything I do that I totally do on my own?
When I shift my perspective from me to we, I am able to let go of tension, hostility, anger. I am able to soften and see the person or situation with more understanding, love, compassion, and patience.
All things are possible through Christ! I have so many wonderful friends and together and with our faith, we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. Success is so much easier in a group!
Good morning Pilgrim. I hope that you are well and your pain level is low today. I appreciate your succinct reply to this question. Conversation will be happening later today for me as I see those around the table through God’s eye as part of the collective “we”. This will be so helpful to me…thank you.
Have a peace-filled day my friend 🙏
Thank you, Diane. I am happy to find you here today! Pain is still with me. I’m really hoping for improvement when beach temps become warmer. It is a gorgeous day outside today. The squirrels and I are grateful! Be well, my Friend!
This reminds me of the question: “Who is my neighbor?” and of the quest for finding and serving the “common good.” We are all our neighbors; and the common good is an ongoing endeavor to create a more fair, more flourishing community both in where we live and in the country and in some way, the world. But it starts with my neighbor.
Of course, I agree with the previous posts. Reading them has shifted my perspective, and I feel expanded.
In my current experiences, I’m facing a shift in two areas. Firstly, I have to adjust to my parents’ changing needs on an almost daily basis. Sometimes, I feel annoyed when I receive a phone call asking for help with mundane tasks. But then I remind myself to put myself in their shoes and consider their feelings of fear and helplessness. When I approach the situation with compassion and patience, I’m able to shift my mindset and be there for them. I also think about how our family has been an effective unit, and how grateful I am for our long-lasting bond.
The other shift is happening in a race and reconciliation class that I recently joined. I’ve realized that the endeavor to end racism is a collective one – it’s all about “we.”
Avril, thank you for sharing about shifting your perspective when it comes to helping your parents. I struggle with this as well and this was a gentle reminder to look at the situation with more patience and compassion.
I am interested to hear about your experience in your race and reconciliation class. Being Hispanic and growing up in the US, I have faced discrimination and have internalized a lot of the negative beliefs I’ve been told. This is something I am actively working on but find it hard when I still have a lot of anger for how people treated me because of the color of my skin. But again, this was a reminder that this is ending racism is a collective decision and putting blame on others is not productive and will not solve anything.
Jenifer…..so appreciate your sharing. My new home state of Colorado is a “sanctuary state” and I am so proud that we live in such a place. Sadly, not everyone is as thrilled as I am about this and there is also some rhetoric around this that is hateful, judgmental, selfish, prejudicial, and just plain ignorant, if I can use so strong a word. It hurts my heart. White privilege as Barb has described it.
But then I remember all of those who are welcoming with open arms and providing generous, loving care. My husband and I are grateful we can be a part of that.
Thank you Jenifer for your authentic and wise reflection on this issue.
Jennifer, I am Hispanic and Black–I get it from all sides, lol. Here is the program we are offering at my spiritual center: https://bethebridge.com/. It’s cool. I also love small group work.
Many thanks to both of you for sharing this. As a white woman who has benefited privilege I carry responsibility for doing what I can to address racism in my workplace and other spheres of influence. That definitely takes a “we”
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Agreed that the possibilities are endless! As I have mentioned before, I work for a very diverse company. We in the last year have added many ERG’s (Employee Resource Groups) of so many different kinds and cultures. It is amazing to see what each team has Brought to the Table” in such a short time span. So many learning opportunities for all of us!
Shifting the focus outside ourself to “we” creates the possibility of intimacy with others. In intimacy, openness, listening, mutual reflection, and some sort of deep solidarity is nurtured. Out of that intimacy, and including all our differences a peace toward and action for the other is born.
Most of my thinking is inward. Maybe
not such a good thing. I guess it’s a
balance, like everything else. When I
do think of others, it helps put my life
in perspective.
Ah…synchronicity! As often happens in my life (when I’m paying attention) this question is timely for me today and I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect upon it.
We recently moved to a new 55+ community, in a new state with new…..everything! So different from where I spent the first 65 years of my life. I’m grateful we are here because we moved 2,000 miles across the country to be near our daughters who have settled here. And it has been a joy and a blessing. But, I have experienced epic social anxiety since moving here and I’m just slowly coming out of my self-imposed cocoon. Today I will be meeting for lunch with a group of 5 other ladies and I have prayed this morning for the mindset of seeing each one of them through God’s eyes, which of course is Love. Shifting my focus from “me” with all my anxieties, quirks and imperfections to a collective “we”, all of us human yet with a spark of divinity, will help me as we gather together. I will strive to be an attentive listener…perhaps this is my calling for such a time as this.
I affirm you’ll have a great time!
Everything is easier with “we” – but we begins with me. We delight in collective brain power, and collective energy. WE can get more things accomplished….and bring solutions to the table. As Kevin said with “WE”- Everything is possible.
Shifting my focus from me to we offers different perspectives perhaps; more thoughts/opinions/ideas/more choices.
Happy National Strawberry Day 🍓
Yes Michele….I will remember this today as I listen attentively.
Reading the comments before mine, I appreciate the positive perspectives. My mind went to both ends of the spectrum of possibilities: It’s possible that the collective we will succeed in changing our habits, structures, economies, and systems so we begin to bend the curve on the climate crisis and other massive problems.
And it’s possible we won’t.
I’m a pragmatic optimist. I get up in the morning ready to do what I can–to do my part with my “me”–and I know my work contributes to shifting the “we”.
I ran across a quotation a couple of days that fits here:
“It is not shameful to do little. It is shameful to do nothing.”
— Alexei Navalny (Russian activist https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny)
This question is tied to yesterday’s. My living comforts are because of “we”. The “me” comes in when I enhance the object/event with my style.
We are so entangled. Is there anything I do that I totally do on my own?
I love the Buddhist idea of dependent origination: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81da
When I shift my perspective from me to we, I am able to let go of tension, hostility, anger. I am able to soften and see the person or situation with more understanding, love, compassion, and patience.
Peace, connection, harmony.
All things are possible through Christ! I have so many wonderful friends and together and with our faith, we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. Success is so much easier in a group!
Agreed!
Conversation is possible. Various approaches become possible.
Good morning Pilgrim. I hope that you are well and your pain level is low today. I appreciate your succinct reply to this question. Conversation will be happening later today for me as I see those around the table through God’s eye as part of the collective “we”. This will be so helpful to me…thank you.
Have a peace-filled day my friend 🙏
Thank you, Diane. I am happy to find you here today! Pain is still with me. I’m really hoping for improvement when beach temps become warmer. It is a gorgeous day outside today. The squirrels and I are grateful! Be well, my Friend!
This reminds me of the question: “Who is my neighbor?” and of the quest for finding and serving the “common good.” We are all our neighbors; and the common good is an ongoing endeavor to create a more fair, more flourishing community both in where we live and in the country and in some way, the world. But it starts with my neighbor.
Of course, I agree with the previous posts. Reading them has shifted my perspective, and I feel expanded.
In my current experiences, I’m facing a shift in two areas. Firstly, I have to adjust to my parents’ changing needs on an almost daily basis. Sometimes, I feel annoyed when I receive a phone call asking for help with mundane tasks. But then I remind myself to put myself in their shoes and consider their feelings of fear and helplessness. When I approach the situation with compassion and patience, I’m able to shift my mindset and be there for them. I also think about how our family has been an effective unit, and how grateful I am for our long-lasting bond.
The other shift is happening in a race and reconciliation class that I recently joined. I’ve realized that the endeavor to end racism is a collective one – it’s all about “we.”
Avril, thank you for sharing about shifting your perspective when it comes to helping your parents. I struggle with this as well and this was a gentle reminder to look at the situation with more patience and compassion.
I am interested to hear about your experience in your race and reconciliation class. Being Hispanic and growing up in the US, I have faced discrimination and have internalized a lot of the negative beliefs I’ve been told. This is something I am actively working on but find it hard when I still have a lot of anger for how people treated me because of the color of my skin. But again, this was a reminder that this is ending racism is a collective decision and putting blame on others is not productive and will not solve anything.
Jenifer…..so appreciate your sharing. My new home state of Colorado is a “sanctuary state” and I am so proud that we live in such a place. Sadly, not everyone is as thrilled as I am about this and there is also some rhetoric around this that is hateful, judgmental, selfish, prejudicial, and just plain ignorant, if I can use so strong a word. It hurts my heart. White privilege as Barb has described it.
But then I remember all of those who are welcoming with open arms and providing generous, loving care. My husband and I are grateful we can be a part of that.
Thank you Jenifer for your authentic and wise reflection on this issue.
Jennifer, I am Hispanic and Black–I get it from all sides, lol. Here is the program we are offering at my spiritual center: https://bethebridge.com/. It’s cool. I also love small group work.
Many thanks to both of you for sharing this. As a white woman who has benefited privilege I carry responsibility for doing what I can to address racism in my workplace and other spheres of influence. That definitely takes a “we”
Amen, Barb
Most anything seems possible.