In this time of heightened tension and polarization
the eyes narrow and the brow furrows
when we see signs of political opponents in our neighbor’s yard.
The heartrate elevates and the mouth frowns
when the image of political opponents appear on our screens
Or their voices cause painful sensations in our ears.
Let us now put politics aside for just this moment
and remember the humanity of those with whom we disagree.
Can we find a way to both hold our core convictions that drive our choices and
recognize others have different priorities and values.
Can we experience this dissonance without hate but with curiosity and
discover they share with us other priorities and values
Can we put aside our assumptions and expectations and
find out who that neighbor really is in their full humanity?
Can we hold open the possibility that they may change and
they may change us?
May we hold open the possibility
that we can learn from and empathize with each other
that we can influence each other
that it may be possible for us to love each other
when right now we can’t even imagine it.
May we find a way to hold open our hearts at least a crack
for the unexpected to surprise us and
the Spirit of Life to move in, through and between us.
(c) Sam Trumbore (2020