Lately, my mind has been reflecting on the duality of being human:
- We are individuals... but, as social beings, we need others.
- We are physically anchored to this world... but a Spirit inspires us to become more.
- We want the best for those we love... but, sometimes, we focus only on ourselves.
- We celebrate holidays of Thanks Giving... but, as we strive for more, we forget to be thankful for what we have in abundance.
Preparing for this Pandemic-influenced Thanksgiving, I wondered how often I have been thankful these past 10 months... for Stay-at-Home orders; working remotely; or following the health guidelines of my state and county?
Have I seen beauty in these dark moments of Living Sequestered?
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| Can you still see beauty in your darkest moments? |
As with many holidays, I have been remembering my parents who have been gone for over 11 years (Dad) and 15 years (Mom). Again, duality: Living in the Present but Recalling the Past.
Lying awake one evening, I recalled a teeter totter that Dad built for us when we were younger. My older brother and I would use our weight to keep our younger siblings always in the air. They soon learned to work together to outweigh us. We would then use our longer legs to keep them on the ground. What could they do... but plead for us to play fair... or tickle us so that we fell off! Duality in play!
Maybe there are other childhood lessons to help us with today's dualities. For instance:
- Sandboxes: understanding the outlines of where we can play... or not play.
- Jigsaw Puzzles: working through edges and shapes to see the emerging picture.
- Scrabble: stringing together letters to create words that have shared meaning.
Rather than pleading or squawking when we don't get our way, are there another ways to express what we want or need?
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| Do you squawk when you don't get what you want? |
With Dialogue, it is important to balance Advocacy and Inquiry. Rather than focusing primarily on one or the other, we are invited to talk through our position (to advocate) and then to ask or seek input on other positions or ways of thinking (to inquire). Through the dual interchange of advocating and inquiring, we tickle out a new Way of Seeing through emerging ideas and a new Way of Being by balancing individual and common understanding.
Thinking again about these Pandemic Holidays, do we try to balance the dual natures of individual freedom and common good (e.g., do I wear a mask or not)? Or, instead, do we immediately resort to our childhood ways of "getting our way"... by pleading, not listening, or relying on our own power.
What would it be like if... we advocated our position... and... openly sought another way of seeing the situation?
My father's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving and my mother's was Christmas. Within a few short weeks, both of them celebrated what was important to them: Giving Thanks and Giving Life... duality! I am grateful for how their lives inspired duality and balance.
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| Are you grateful for fleeting moments of inspiration? (Photo credit: San Diego Union Tribune, Bill Wechter) |
My father's favorite holiday was Thanksgiving and my mother's was Christmas. Within a few short weeks, both of them celebrated what was important to them: Giving Thanks and Giving Life... duality! I am grateful for how their lives inspired duality and balance.
May these next few weeks help us celebrate and be grateful for the dual natures of Being Individual and Being Together. We need both!
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| Larry Gardepie (click on link for website) |
