As has been stated here, one of my resolutions for 2020 was to read more books. Thank you, COVID-19, for allowing me to check that box off so early in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Currently in the middle of book #15 \u2014 which I\u2019m not quite ready to disclose, as I\u2019m not enough of the way through to fully endorse \u2014 it\u2019s a book about not being a \u201cjerk\u201d when discussing politics. Suffice it to say, I like it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the purposes of clear communication, allow us first to define the word \u201cjerk.\u201d Dr. Stephanie Sarkis, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, offers 6 reasons in Psychology Today<\/em> why some of us may have (gleefully or not so gleefully) earned this title:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lest to ensure I don\u2019t violate the Intramuralist\u2019s desire to never point more fingers at another than self, to be frank, many days I have done one, two, or maybe even \u2014 ghastly<\/em> \u2014 all<\/em> of the above. Some days I have been a \u201cjerk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, there is always more that defines each of us than those unflattering moments \u2014 a truth we often, unfortunately forget when pointing fingers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So allow me to offer the wisdom of articulate author Eugene Cho \u2014 also the founder and visionary of \u201cOne Day\u2019s Wages,\u201d a grassroots movement focused on alleviating extreme global poverty. Cho encourages two thoughts\/questions to ask and keep in mind when discussing politics with another \u2014 that is, if we don\u2019t want to be a \u201cjerk”:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Friends, it does not matter the topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look, no less, at this week\u2019s trending topics\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let me suggest we don\u2019t\u2026 we don\u2019t fight\u2026 that we intentionally avoid being \u201cjerks.\u201d After all, I\u2019ve never known a \u201cjerk\u201d who was thought to have influenced the world in wonderful ways. Let\u2019s instead keep the above thoughts\/questions in mind. I hear you. I get it; it\u2019s hard. <\/em>Agreed. Note the added encouragement from Cho:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis requires being good listeners. People who met Pope John Paul II throughout his life remarked about what an intense listener he was. It seemed that nothing else existed to him when he engaged with someone. Have you ever spoken with someone like that? If you have, I\u2019m sure you can picture them right now and recall how they made you feel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In any conversation, political or otherwise, each of us can choose to give the gift of listening to others. That\u2019s good news for the future of our world.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 giving the gift of listening\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Time to finish the book. Suffice it to say, I like it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR As has been stated here, one of my resolutions for 2020 was to read more books. Thank you, COVID-19, for allowing me to check that box off so early in the year. Currently in the middle of book #15 \u2014 which I\u2019m not quite ready to disclose, as I\u2019m not enough of the way through … <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"