{"id":7124,"date":"2017-02-05T00:18:54","date_gmt":"2017-02-05T05:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=7124"},"modified":"2017-02-05T00:18:54","modified_gmt":"2017-02-05T05:18:54","slug":"two-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=7124","title":{"rendered":"two questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"i-in3cvejg-evan-dennis\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As we witness the current unenviable, rhetorical climate, weathered with unfortunate ample disgust, distaste, and disrespect for seemingly any perspective other than one\u2019s own, two questions continue to come back to me.<\/p>\n

Let me warn you now: I won\u2019t \u2014 and actually can\u2019t<\/em> \u2014 answer my own two questions.<\/p>\n

But as I ponder the current climate \u2014 and ponder even more so how to be a part of the solution as opposed to the problem \u2014 or somehow, even fueling<\/em> this problem \u2014 I keep coming back to these two Q\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Granted, in order to state this accurately, I probably need the voices around me to be quieter for a mere moment, so I can actually think on my own and vocalize my 17\u00a2\u2026 if people will let us.<\/p>\n

I do realize the need to peacefully stand up for what we believe in. And peaceful protest does include some shouting. What does it not include? Briefly?<\/p>\n

\u2026 insult\u2026 profanity\u2026 judgment\u2026<\/p>\n

I admire protest. I do not admire insult, profanity, and judgment.<\/p>\n

Let me share an additional truth\u2026 Rightly or wrongly, when anyone\u2019s shouting at me, I can\u2019t hear them.<\/p>\n

Why? Because I can\u2019t always tell if they care what I think. They have to be silent long enough to engage in some semblance of active listening and exchange. Without active listening, there will be no meaningful conversation. Without meaningful conversation, there will be no respect. And without respect, there will be no solution.<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, I keep coming back to these two Q\u2019s\u2026<\/p>\n

Two questions that plague me\u2026<\/p>\n

Two questions that if we answered truthfully, maybe solution would come a little quicker\u2026<\/p>\n

Maybe solution would even come.<\/p>\n

One: how do we not equate our own experience with everyone else\u2019s reality?<\/p>\n

And two: how can we assume that just because a person doesn\u2019t react as I do, they don\u2019t care?<\/p>\n

We sure make a lot of assumptions. Isn\u2019t that the zillion dollar challenge?<\/p>\n

We assume that if we experience something, it must be true for everyone\u2014 or at least true for most. We react a certain way, and if someone reacts completely differently \u2014 or maybe not at all \u2014 we make assumptions about their character, integrity, and morality. We sure assume a lot (\u2026 makes me think of that ole clique as to \u201cassume\u201d only sadly makes an \u201cass\u201d out of \u201cu\u201d and \u201cme\u201d).<\/em><\/p>\n

I pray not do that.<\/p>\n

Again, however, as forewarned at the onset of this post, I cannot answer my own two questions.<\/p>\n

I do think, though, that the pondering of the above would be wise for us all\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 a little more silence\u2026 a little more grace for the different\u2026 and far fewer assumptions of those we do not understand.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026 always\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As we witness the current unenviable, rhetorical climate, weathered with unfortunate ample disgust, distaste, and disrespect for seemingly any perspective other than one\u2019s own, two questions continue to come back to me. Let me warn you now: I won\u2019t \u2014 and actually can\u2019t \u2014 answer my own two questions. But as I ponder the current … <\/p>\n

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