I will answer not with “when” but “what.” Two pieces of advice stand out.
One, from a former boss and dear friend (now passed on) “always choose your battles.” When you’re out to make a difference in the world – and she made a huge one – you can’t solve all of it, so you have to pick and choose.
Two, from a dark-skinned black colleague. We were conducting an interview in the deep South with a doctor who was making blatant racist remarks. I got so angry I had to turn the interview over. My (repeat, black) colleague calmly completed the interview. When we got outside, I naturally wanted to know how in the world he was able to do that. His response: “I was trained at IBM [where he had worked previously] to ‘never lose sight of the goal.'” A wonderful rule for a good life.
I love meeting and talking to people
in general, but particularly, people
who have emigrated. I always have so
many questions. As one who has lived
most of my life in one area, I am
fascinated by the why’s and how’s of
people’s journey. Moving somewhere
with a new language and customs and
everything else that is required to
survive, seems so daunting.
And in my limited traveling,
I have had the fortune to speak to
a few people and get their
perspective on their home and get a
bit of their perspective on my own home,
which is always enriching.
Also, talking to people who have
experienced adversity in their lives
is always interesting and educational.
We are all travelers, and sharing the
story of our journey, is such an
ancient form of human interaction.
I feel a deep connection to sitting
around the fire and telling stories.
Many years ago when “anxiety” was my middle name, my mentor said, “Carol, there is a part of you that has never been afraid and you can always choose to call it forth. You can let it tell that bully that lives in your head to sit down and shut up and watch it pick up and comfort that little girl that never felt safe and remind her that she is not alone and together they can and will make it. I chose to trust his words then and still do to this day when my monkey mind rears its bullying tactics.
What comes to mind first as specific examples are the people I’ve been able to learn from who taught me so much about what it’s like in this world for people who have less privilege than I do, and how structural and institutional underpinnings maintain those differences of power and access. I’ve found that once I know, I can’t unknow. And now that I know, I act. Beyond changing my point of view this has changed how I live in the world.
So true. Many years ago my mother asked me “When did you become such a liberal?” Good question. My answer:”When I saw how the system is stacked against them.” I worked in all of the poorest areas of NYC (part of that time as a city employee) and I saw up front and personal how that works. “Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is almost impossible, and when some people do, it’s a miracle,”
Everyday here on the Grateful Living site. The responses to the Daily Question always give me a different perspective and thoughts to ponder. What wisdom and different points of views are shared here… and add so much to my life. Thank you! and wishing everyone a very good Sunday!
I was in challenge to decide my college major because there were many different points of view from people. I was wondering about computer science and psychology. Someone said that with my eye disease, I better not study computer to save my vision. On the other hand, other people said that I am a sensitive person, even though I have good compassion, however it will not be good for me to work with people with psychological issues in the rest of my life. People’s perspective brought so many thoughts in my mind to decide. Eventually, my decision was computer science. It is based on someone who said that there are challenges and benefits of two majors, however, choose one that you really enjoy studying, not because you worry about your mental health or your eyes.
I am enriched and my view expands whenever I am open to listen to hear another’s perspective. We all have different lenses as we view the rainbows on our path.
The exuberance for life, the joy and wonderment of the natural world that my 6-year-old grandson, Emerick, displays as he perceives our world has not only enriched my point of view but also has reinforced my gratefulness for my own life.
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I think always, even when it is hard or very different from mine.
I agree with many responses tonight, the daily reflections from all of you enrich my point of view. Thank you all who participate : )
I will answer not with “when” but “what.” Two pieces of advice stand out.
One, from a former boss and dear friend (now passed on) “always choose your battles.” When you’re out to make a difference in the world – and she made a huge one – you can’t solve all of it, so you have to pick and choose.
Two, from a dark-skinned black colleague. We were conducting an interview in the deep South with a doctor who was making blatant racist remarks. I got so angry I had to turn the interview over. My (repeat, black) colleague calmly completed the interview. When we got outside, I naturally wanted to know how in the world he was able to do that. His response: “I was trained at IBM [where he had worked previously] to ‘never lose sight of the goal.'” A wonderful rule for a good life.
I love meeting and talking to people
in general, but particularly, people
who have emigrated. I always have so
many questions. As one who has lived
most of my life in one area, I am
fascinated by the why’s and how’s of
people’s journey. Moving somewhere
with a new language and customs and
everything else that is required to
survive, seems so daunting.
And in my limited traveling,
I have had the fortune to speak to
a few people and get their
perspective on their home and get a
bit of their perspective on my own home,
which is always enriching.
Also, talking to people who have
experienced adversity in their lives
is always interesting and educational.
We are all travelers, and sharing the
story of our journey, is such an
ancient form of human interaction.
I feel a deep connection to sitting
around the fire and telling stories.
Many years ago when “anxiety” was my middle name, my mentor said, “Carol, there is a part of you that has never been afraid and you can always choose to call it forth. You can let it tell that bully that lives in your head to sit down and shut up and watch it pick up and comfort that little girl that never felt safe and remind her that she is not alone and together they can and will make it. I chose to trust his words then and still do to this day when my monkey mind rears its bullying tactics.
That damned Monkey….I know him well, but in a much less adversarial way now, Carol.
Carol, once again, your words
resonate. 🙏
What comes to mind first as specific examples are the people I’ve been able to learn from who taught me so much about what it’s like in this world for people who have less privilege than I do, and how structural and institutional underpinnings maintain those differences of power and access. I’ve found that once I know, I can’t unknow. And now that I know, I act. Beyond changing my point of view this has changed how I live in the world.
So true. Many years ago my mother asked me “When did you become such a liberal?” Good question. My answer:”When I saw how the system is stacked against them.” I worked in all of the poorest areas of NYC (part of that time as a city employee) and I saw up front and personal how that works. “Pulling yourself up by your bootstraps is almost impossible, and when some people do, it’s a miracle,”
Preach on, Barb! ✊
Sometimes it takes that personal
story to bring home the reality
of our unjust and unfair systems.
Many years ago, when I was studying Wiccan/Pagan/Karma beliefs , those perspectives changed my point view.
Whenever I am open, receptive, and humble – whether or not I am enriched has to do more with me than the value of the shared perspective.
Everyday here on the Grateful Living site. The responses to the Daily Question always give me a different perspective and thoughts to ponder. What wisdom and different points of views are shared here… and add so much to my life. Thank you! and wishing everyone a very good Sunday!
The perspectives expressed here enrich me greatly.
“Ditto” for me, Yram.
I was in challenge to decide my college major because there were many different points of view from people. I was wondering about computer science and psychology. Someone said that with my eye disease, I better not study computer to save my vision. On the other hand, other people said that I am a sensitive person, even though I have good compassion, however it will not be good for me to work with people with psychological issues in the rest of my life. People’s perspective brought so many thoughts in my mind to decide. Eventually, my decision was computer science. It is based on someone who said that there are challenges and benefits of two majors, however, choose one that you really enjoy studying, not because you worry about your mental health or your eyes.
Someone else’s perspective always brings more knowledge and understanding to my point of view.
I am enriched and my view expands whenever I am open to listen to hear another’s perspective. We all have different lenses as we view the rainbows on our path.
The exuberance for life, the joy and wonderment of the natural world that my 6-year-old grandson, Emerick, displays as he perceives our world has not only enriched my point of view but also has reinforced my gratefulness for my own life.
This happens frequently to me, especially when I read the responses from other folks to the Daily Questions on this site.