Putting it in Action
Something that continues to astound me is how immediately I’m put to the test after I spend time thinking about something I think is really important, especially in regards to working with other people. For many months, I’ve been telling myself how critical it is to lead with love and make assessments later in an attempt to prevent myself from making assumptions that are based wholly on my initial emotions instead of on actual facts and the commonalities that should be binding us together. I used that mantra of “love first, react second” all throughout the difficult election season that somehow continues to this day. I’ve done my best to also use that idea in church settings where I hear leaders say things that I don’t totally agree with. And in both instances, I’ve recognized how listening to other people’s viewpoints with open mindedness doesn’t detract from what I might feel or believe, but instead helps me become more compassionate and capable of meaningful connection by preventing...