When there is a lot going on in our personal lives and in our communities, it's easy for our feelings and opinions to get pulled in different directions, and we can lose our personal ground. Even when we are feeling confused or overwhelmed, we can try to stay sourced inward by asking ourselves how we are being in the world. How am I listening? How am I responding? Am I speaking to and treating others in a way that is respectful and inclusive? When we're speaking to someone, are we genuinely trying to get to know them, or are we assuming that we already know what they're going to say?
Before acting or responding to someone in conversation, you could ask yourself, Is what I'm about to do or say helpful? Would I want to be treated or spoken to in the way that I'm about to do so? Am I trying to be "right' or am I sharing my point of view?
These small changes in awareness can go a long way by helping us build understanding and a sense of community and connection with each other. We can get trapped feeling like we always have to make grand gestures, but it's also the little things every day that matter just as much.
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