The Chance to Grow Together Across Differences

One of the great things about being on a global platform like this is that we find ourselves conversing with people from all around the world.

That means people with many different traditions and beliefs. And with a diversity of belief, comes a diversity of experience.

Realizing Potential

The question is whether we are going to let ourselves benefit from this diversity.

Are we going to interact with those who have different views?

Are we going to take an attitude of curiosity or condemnation?

Comment or Pass on By

Sometimes we may encounter ideas we strongly disagree with. There are different moral standards that people are raised with, even within our own country, but certainly around the world. You don't have to express agreement with something you don't agree with.

You can just ignore anything that arouses negative feelings in you. Maybe you just aren't in the mood to even deal with the issue right then.

Or you can choose to express your disagreement. This gives both you and the other person a chance to grow and learn.

Source

Choosing to Engage

If you decide to express disagreement, keep in mind that there are constructive and destructive ways of doing so. Regardless of what you actually say, if your underlying message is clearly:

You're Evil. You're Evil. You're Evil.

There isn't going to be any constructive dialog that is going to result from that. No matter what degree there may be some potential for a meeting of the minds, the other person is simply never going to accept your underlying thesis. Nor should they.

We don't really need a world full of more condemnation, blame, shame and guilt, do we?

What I've seen is that people only change within an environment of loving acceptance. Otherwise they just dig in their heels.

That loving acceptance doesn't require agreement. Honesty is an act of love. But if we can honor that the beliefs and experiences of others are valid, even if we don't hold those beliefs and haven't had those experiences ourselves, there is a basis of respect that can support loving interaction. We can then discuss differing perspectives in a way that fosters growth for both parties, even if we still end the conversation disagreeing.

We have such an incredible opportunity on this global blockchain to expose ourselves to a diversity of life experiences and the things different people have learned from those experiences. And we have the chance to both learn and teach, if we have open minds and effective dialog. Here's hoping we really are making the most of this place.