As I mentioned before the United States has a new president. One of his campaign points was uniting the country.
Now some people are saying that we have the same old thing. Division. Unity will never work. Balderdash!
Unity does not necessarily mean everyone thinks as one. If you take any two people and ask their opinions on various subjects you will find that they have different ideas on some if not all. It does not mean that they wish a different outcome to a problem; they only wish to go about solving the problem a different way. Or perhaps they do envision a different outcome.
In either case if they are unified in wanting the best and fairest solution they will begin a conversation. Each will listen to the other,,, really and earnestly listen. They will find out what and why the other person believes is the best answer.
After they have truly listened and heard what the other thinks they can then decide if either or both of them can give just a bit and still have a good outcome.
When it comes down to it unity simply requires civility. Perhaps a compromise cannot be reached. At least both have been heard. Hopefully that will soften hard feelings and leave the door open for the next difference of opinion to be aired.
I worked with a wonderful woman. She is slightly older than I am. We have differing opinions on many things. Religion and politics are major ones.
We had some marvelous conversations while we worked. I learned a great deal listening to her. She learned from me. Because we listened. Occasionally one of us would change an opinion too.
It is amazing what can be accomplished if we operate in unity. We will never completely agree. We can learn to be tolerant and respect the other person when agreement does not happen.
I had a dear friend who passed away some years ago. Her ideas and beliefs were the total opposite of mine. When I first met her, I could have never imagined what a good friend she would become. We worked in a small room together and talked and although most of our beliefs never changed, we learned to respect each other’s thoughts and each other. We both learned so much and she became so dear to me. I miss her and her wonderful stories everyday.
ReplyDeleteYou understand. Thank you.
DeleteI wonder how we can return to the civility of the past.
ReplyDeleteI wonder too. Do you remember that both parties used to have liberal, central, and conservative factions? Now all Democrats are liberal and all Republicans are conservative. If a person belongs to a particular party he/she is classified as a clone to all other members of that party.
DeleteChildren in kindergarten often behave better than our politicians.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly do. Could it be that they suffer consequences if they do not?
DeleteI agree with your definition of unity. It is worth working for, worth changing for.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you agree. Shall we start a civility movement?
DeleteI like your thoughts very much. I think too that listening to the other person - and politeness - are very important. In bogland I seldom comment on politics.
ReplyDeleteI try to keep my political opinions to myself. I am not writing my blog for that purpose. What I was trying to say here is that we can listen politely (as you say)and keep our opinions. There is no excuse for being rude or demanding that someone else agree.
DeleteI agree with your views, Emma, unfortunately there are a lot of people who do not listen and even more so who are quite rude in expressing their own viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteFor rude people I have an easy solution. I refuse to listen to them. I can turn off TV or radio. I can walk away from a rude person. If I am stuck in the same room with one I have the ability to tune them out. I am at an age when I deserve serenity and I intend to enjoy it.
Deletegreat post dear Emma
ReplyDeletei agree that unity does not mean that we all think alike ,it is not possible because each of us has been given a unique brain so we all can think and act freely ,freedom of speech and choice is delicate thing .we are bond to learn from our basic instincts and act accordingly ,Balance is key to everything ,and we we learn to adopt balance in our behaviors and move down from extreme thinking things ca go right ,listening others need a big heart that comes with goodness we have inside and balance we have in attitude
You always know how to say it. Thank you.
DeleteDid people adjust to having their opinions matter only? When did this flaw emerge?! Great post, timely.
ReplyDeleteThank you. How can we ever learn and advance if we completely ignore new or different ideas?
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