Ripples #869: Network of Mutuality.
Jan 18, 2016
PEBBLE
We may have all come on different ships,
but we’re in the same boat now.
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BOULDER
All of us are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
PONDER
Today we recognize and celebrate Dr. King as one of our culture’s great heroes; a courageous soul who consistently sought peaceful resolutions to conflict while steadfastly refusing to surrender the rights and dignity of those who still didn’t have access to all that it means to be an American. He remains one of my personal heroes as someone who believed you could cultivate passion for your cause without sacrificing compassion for your foes.
Conflict is an inevitable part of our shared humanity: within the workplace and within your friendship circles; around the neighborhood and around the house; on Facebook and on TV. There always has been and there always will be a certain degree of discord among human beings. Some folks try their best to just avoid conflict, others view it as an invitation to a fight-to-the-finish battle with only two possible outcomes: claiming absolute victory or submitting to utter defeat. When handled effectively, conflict can be a divine opportunity to deepen our connectedness, advance our understanding of the world, and appreciate perspectives other than our own.
As the 2016 campaign shifts into high gear, those of us here in the USA will soon begin using our voices and our votes to determine who will be the next president. And just like every other election year, there is already plenty of conflict. I’m hoping we can all passionately share our views in a way allows us to listen, learn, and speak our truth. It won’t be easy but it will be worth it because we really are all in the same boat, and we’ve got some choppy waters ahead.
Peace,
Paul
The Ripples Guy
P.S. Thanks for the outpouring of warmth last week. I wasn’t able to personally respond to so many messages, but I read each one and stored them in my heart AND in a special folder to re-visit when the time is right.
