I have a longing to share thoughts and concepts with people and love engaging in sincere conversations. These conversations energise me. In discussions though, I notice that at times I get impatient and authoritative when I perceive that they just don't get "it". I realise that what is needed in those moments is for me to practice understanding and caring. I have a desire to ease their distress but the manner that I tend to go about it is not conducive to learning. What would it look like to let go of my judgements? To offer people the space to explore resistance and work through it, as only they can do. I know I have very strong resistance to a great many things and this work in letting go of my selfish desires is my own work. Softening into understanding is a much more comfortable space to inhabit, it is conducive to learning and seeing an issue from another frame of reference. It invites kindness and empathy into a relationship, and lets people know that they are not alone. When I let differences of opinion separate myself from others, I make it harder for me to see a friend in that person. We all view the world from our unique vantage point and we are all right in what we see. I can strive to nurture those ever present precious points of unity in my discussions. Perspectives need not be kept separate but may overlap with compassion as the mortar...there is always more space.
This has been a challenge for me, too. It's a life-long learning process. I do find I get better at this as I grow older.