My friends and I are preparing for an upcoming space we have co-created to encourage our local community to learn how to have conversations about the oneness of mankind and traverse those uncomfortable feelings that come up when the discussion turns toward issues of racial prejudice. In preparing for this, I have found some videos about how the Baha'i community in Minneapolis responded to the death of George Floyd. In these videos I observed very moving and inspiring efforts exerted by ordinary people who responded to the need for an outpouring of love and genuine affection for which their community thirsted. Minneapolis has a completely different reality from that of Stratford, yet what can be learned is how concerned and interested people can discern the needs of their community and respond in kind with the help and assistance of others. It is the spirit of togetherness, solidarity and love that may be replicated in communities everywhere. Must we wait for a tragedy to occur to respond to that need? These social inequalities existed in Minneapolis long before George Floyd tragically died, yet it was the catalyst for a change of heart that was long awaited. How may my community be more attuned to these disparities and prejudices and address them? How may these conversations serve as a path toward a deeper understanding and ignite a desire to interact differently? These are the questions that surface for me as I pulled the card of wisdom. It made me look beyond the surface of the tragic circumstances and see that what unites and binds our hearts stems from the purity of our motives. It embodies volunteering in a deeper and selfless manner with and among others, fueled by the development of our spiritual qualities, without which we are simply unable to view each other as members of one family. In a world where many are skeptical about religion and shun the mention of God, conversations such as these pose a challenge. This is where the virtue of wisdom is a guide to cause me to pause and discern the effect my words or attitude may have. To consider the potential audience and ways in which this conversation may best be facilitated given its sensitive and emotional nature. It also fills me with confidence that I need not detract from what I know to be true because some may disagree, it is instead an opportunity to explore possibilities to reach those precious points of unity. It helps me frame my own purpose for wanting to coach others in an effort to seek to accompany others in learning to accept and embrace our differences and ways of being. This feels like a sustainable choice for my life, one rooted in maturity that will develop more clarity as I am patient.
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