I think most all would agree that unity is a good thing. I think it\u2019s more that we disagree on how to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps we could get there faster if we understood what unity is not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hear me, friends. It\u2019s easy to fall prey to some other especially luring fallacy. But note\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unity is not uniformity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Allow me to say that once more\u2026 for emphasis sakes, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unity is not uniformity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unity is the state of being one <\/strong>\u2014 all our parts combined as one, making up the whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Uniformity is the state of being the same <\/strong>\u2014 there are no different parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ll thus say it time number three: unity is not uniformity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n So if we\u2019re honest enough to acknowledge such \u2014 knowing we undoubtedly have some significant differences that affect our culture and community and all that goes into that \u2014 how do we move forward in a healthy way? How do we do life together? I mean, it\u2019s no secret that \u201cunited\u201d is the sole adjective describing the \u201cStates\u201d we live in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perhaps the best question I heard recently was posed by a sage, professional and personal mentor, acknowledging the differences we each bring to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noting our differences \u2014 especially those that come from our families of origin, ethnic backgrounds, and previous experiences, for example \u2014 what happens when we disagree?<\/em> If there are different parts that comprise the whole, there will indeed be disagreement; we witness such daily on the national stage. And sometimes, dare I submit, it\u2019s a fairly ugly, oft juvenile display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I suppose we could choose to respond to disagreement in an unhealthy way. We could unhealthily respond by storing up resentment. Maybe even quietly. Just holding it all in, keeping a distinct, internal record, and then one day exploding \u2014 maybe one of those not-so-attractive verbal vomits \u2014 finding all fault and blame in the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or\u2026 we could choose to respond in a healthy way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I return to the words of my wise mentor\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing unity is not uniformity, knowing differences thus exist, how is wise to respond when we don\u2019t agree with what\u2019s unfolding?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3 steps\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, ask questions instead of assume intentions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Isn\u2019t that the truth? We\u2019re so good at thinking we <\/em>know<\/em><\/strong> why someone else did what they did; we assume we\u2019ve got it all figured out. It makes it easy to find fault with them that way.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, own your transference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (Oh, I like this one. Transference is the tendency to interpret our current experience by our last one. That is so true… and so prominent! And yet\u2026 it is typically inaccurate and unfair. Transference causes us to craft untrue narratives in our own mind.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And thirdly, acknowledge your role in the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Recognize your role. Feel the freedom in it! But don\u2019t assume you are what you are not. The kid doesn\u2019t get to be the parent; he\u2019s not capable of it. Therefore, he doesn\u2019t decide what\u2019s for dinner every night. Acknowledge your role; know what decisions are yours to make. Know where you have a view \u2014 the ability to see what\u2019s happening \u2014 a voice \u2014 a contribution to what\u2019s happening \u2014 and a vote \u2014 a say in what\u2019s happening.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Step one, though, is understanding that unity is not uniformity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, that\u2019s time number four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But some things are clearly a little more challenging for us to comprehend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I think most all would agree that unity is a good thing. I think it\u2019s more that we disagree on how to get there. Perhaps we could get there faster if we understood what unity is not. Hear me, friends. It\u2019s easy to fall prey to some other especially luring fallacy. But note\u2026 Unity is … <\/p>\n