The DAILY SPARK Blog

RIGHT IS RIGHT

Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.

Quote by St. Augustine 

REFLECTION:

  • Do you go along with the crowd?
  • Is there something you know is right but due to pressure, you are not doing it?
  • How can you stand in your truth, your knowing and do what is right?

ELEVATE DISCOURSE

Mindful dialogue invites true listening and true listening expands our ways of knowing and understanding.  Ultimately, it elevates discourse and makes it more likely that we will gradually learn and grow from understanding one another’s perspectives rather than just fortifying our positions and stereotyping all those who disagree with us. 

FROM:  ARRIVING AT YOUR OWN DOOR  108 Lessons in Mindfulness by Jon Kabat-Zinn

REFLECTION:

  • Think about a recent dialogue with a person where you had a different perspective. How did that conversation go?
  • Were you open to another perspective?
  • What if you could be receptive – resist the urge to press your viewpoint.  What might happen?
  • in a conversation today, be curious… ask questions… listen… truly listen. 

RISK BEING CHANGED

To really listen is to risk being changed forever.

Sa’K’es Henderson – Native American Elder

REFLECTION:

  • Think of a time when you really listened to someone and it changed your view (of them or a belief or a way of seeing the world).
  • How well do you listen?
  • Are you willing to listen to another… risk being changed?
  • Change can look like compassion for another… forgiveness, an open heart…