Seek First to Understand- Freewrite
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Fighting fair involves listening to our fellow man. The events of the past two years have been at odds with this advice, and the starting point to understanding each other has been stifled, and to some it has been removed. So many people have shut off opposing viewpoints, and we need to seek first to try to understand the circumstances of others.
Seek first to understand is a cliche phrase we have heard many times. We can all be self-righteous, and we can let our core beliefs swaybour judgement. Taking the viewpoints of another with different life experiences and discounting them based on their position without listening is folly.
Those who grew up in urban and rural environments often faced similar challenges, but they appear different at first glance. Social class and resources in our environment can solidify viewpoints based on narrow ranges of experiences. I have found commonality with individuals from a diverse and wide range of circumstances and cultures because we shared a social class and were exposed to urban life, popular music and education in a similar mold. If I only associated with my class, I would be missing out on other realities in life. I have learned much from upper and lower classes, and have come to understand how viewpoints of scarcity and abundance influence lifestyle, health and politics.
When we square off against our opponent in an idealoligical battlefield, we must first separate the ideas and viewpoints from the person. This has come to me with age and maturity. Diversity of thought is a truth, and we can learn and grow when we encounter new viewpoints. Living in echo chambers is not an ideal existence. We need to actively seek diversity in today's age, and we need to communicate that we are open to learn.
Today's society is polarized, and the media and pundits are actively setting the example that we should separate ourselves based on idealoligical beliefs. Separating ourselves from each other based on differences of opinion is the opposite of what we should be doing. We need to recognize that our idealoligical positions do not define us.
Seek first to understand. It's difficult, but we need to put ourselves in a mindset of cooperation and not separation. Just because we live in one world or set of circumstances doesn't mean that is the universal experience. We may be wearing blinders that blind us from truth or keep us from making new friends.
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