I'm not just an idealist: My belief that we can connect over our differences
Hey all,
So I've had the pleasure of having many deep conversations with friends over the years. And it seems like inevitably we end of talking about we would (or could) hypothetically approach problems in the world.
Just as inevitably, I usually end up saying something along the lines of "You know, to me, it really is our differences from each other that make this life interesting. And if we could just connect over those instead of splintering, I feel like we'd really have something to work with."
Annnnd this is when my friend(s) would usually brush me off as an idealist, haha.
And I get it--it is an ideal. An ideal that understandably a lot of people see with a lot of naivete. But, speaking only for myself, our differences really *are* what makes this life so interesting to me. I actually enjoy hearing someone with a different worldview than mine. Not so much for debating (I've never cared that much for being right, honestly) but towards learning from them--even if I don't necessarily agree.
Anyway, I do realize there is no simple solution, or even definition, for anything approaching world peace. However, I will always believe that any constructive dialogue starts by having a willingness to hear and actively listen. We don't have to agree to connect.
What do you all think?
@sereneSunset26
I wish more people thought this way! Especially with all of the things going on in our world, if we could focus more on what brings us together instead of what separates us, I think we would have so much more peace individually and as a society.
Thank you for sharing this...and keep being an idealist! We need more like you ❤️
@halcyonCloud2036
I wish more people thought this way! Especially with all of the things going on in our world, if we could focus more on what brings us together instead of what separates us, I think we would have so much more peace individually and as a society.
Thank you for sharing this...and keep being an idealist! We need more like you
Thank you!! That is a really humbling compliment.
And I agree, I learned about tribalism when I was studying in my psychology classes, and we have such a natural inborne tendency to want to only associate or accept people that we consider from our tribe(s).
And like many others, I myself have been guilty of this more times than I probably know. However, I would like to think that this is an area in which I have made tremendous strides in the last few years.
