Maintaining What Connects

Over twenty-five years and the wisdom of Forrest Gump lives on!  Just think of the number of sayings that are now part of our culture:

• You have to do the best with what God gave you.
• You've got to put the past behind you before you can move on.
• Stupid is as stupid does.
• What's normal anyways?
  

And my favorite:  "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." (See Parade:  20 Classic Forrest Gump Quotes for additional sayings.)

How do you experience the world?
(Photo credit:  Forrest Gump Facts
No One Saw Coming)

As I reflect on the importance of dialogue in today's divided world, my mind focuses on these wise words from a simple story:

• The opportunities to experience the different flavors of our world.
• The importance of letting go and moving on.
• The possibility that normal may not be the anchor we seek.

If these words are true, how we do handle the ups and downs of today's pandemic-plagued world?

How do you respond to the ups
and downs in your life?
(Photo credit:  How to Do 5 Awesome Yo-Yo Tricks)

Our health professionals have provided guidelines to minimize the spread of the coronavirus: wear facial coverings; physically distance; and wash our hands frequently.  Can similar precautions  be used to address the societal pandemic of distrust and separation that contaminates our words and actions?

We not only are experiencing a physical illness spreading throughout the world, but there is a spiritual and societal virus that is undermining our relationships.

As we yo-yo through the ups and downs of today's modern world, maybe we are missing something important.

What do you do when your relationships
are stretched?
(Photo Credit: I'm a Human Rubber Band,
Human Puppets)

For instance, we seem to focus on the Up-or-Down, the Either-Or, the Right-or-Wrong of a situation.  The invitation for our dialogue practices is to explore a Third Option.  Rather than looking for the:

• Up or Down movement  of the Yo-Yo:  how do we strengthen or maintain the string?
• Expanding or Contracting of a Rubber Band: how do we keep the rubber elastic?

If life is like a box of chocolates, I wonder why I only eat the candies I like?  If I want to move on, why do I hold onto past slights?  If I recognize the stupid actions of others, am I guilty of stupid actions as well?

The challenge this week is to focus on the string and the elasticity of the relationships in our lives... looking for the third options that strengthen the best that God has given us.

Enjoy life this week... and try a new piece of chocolate!

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

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