elainegrey

In Meeting today, thinking about how people can celebrate change and transformation on one hand and be terrified and reactionary on the other -- seeing the pattern of behavior in the story of a crucifixion two thousand years ago during a celebration of change, seeing the pattern in individuals who can celebrate how they change and grow but are threatened or feal disrespected when others grow in a different way -- i asked what can be done? And the answer that to be heard you must lisen, to be cread for you must care for others came to me and seemed very satisfying.

But i wonder now -- i can listen to others who are different, but i don't know if i can listen to those so angry and full of hate.

[goes off and thinks]

I suppose i have listened to my mother when she was ready to share her anger and pain and bitterness. I listened, i tried not to absorb the poisons, but i listened beyond her words. And it was a turning point for us. It's true, too, she hears me more now.

But there's something different about the reactionary rhetoric. It's not someone speaking their truth. It's manipulative rhetoric or -- is it fair to say it's parroting? Or am i just rationalizing my avoidance of something that seems so counter productive, so energy sapping.....