A thousand times, yes.  Love this, Delyn.

-----Original Message-----
From: barton@stagen.simplelists.com <barton@stagen.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of Ramey, Delyn
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 1:31 PM
To: barton@stagen.simplelists.com
Subject: Active Listening

Attention:
This message originated externally.

It is my belief that a return to Active Listening has the power to alter the trajectory of humanity. Bold statement? Maybe, but come along, open your hearts and give me a few minutes to explain what I mean.

I think few would argue we are in a time of extreme divisiveness. We have turned away from each other and have lost the ability to curiously connect with each other in a meaningful away unless the other person matches our ideology. Communities are no longer “come one, come all”, we are now saying “come in and join us but only if we are like-minded”. Our communities are shrinking and as a whole we are feeling more disconnected and lonely than ever.

There was a time not long ago that I was part of this movement. But I have come to realize our mindset, worldview is defined or at a minimum, influenced by the circumstances of our lives, much of which we have no control. This realization has allowed me to have empathy for people and circumstances which I simply couldn’t have understood before. Actively listening to people I encounter in my life, whom are very different from me, has provided evidential proof of this theory. There is no mindset or worldview which is superior to the others. As a community we have to get back to a place where we truly listen to each other and hold space and respect for another’s perspective, even when different from our own.

Actively listening to each other affords us an opportunity to connect and isn’t that what we all want - to experience true human connection? To be seen for who we really are.

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