I’m
going to be honest, I have no clue where this journey is about
to take us. I’ve been thinking a lot about how poorly far too
many people are behaving in recent years, and I’ve wanted to distill
it down in some way to the simplest of terms. But when I do, people
are not making it easy.
I
blame a lack of responsibility for this. Regardless of where you
point to determine where it started, the reality is people have
been acting as if they have permissions to say what they want,
do what they want, behave the way they want with no repercussions
at all.
Sure,
some of it is a combination of issues. Take a person that believes
they’re right, then acts as if you either agree or you’re wrong.
No listening to details or consideration of your thoughts. Often
anger with hands clasped tightly over ears. Occasionally with
violent outbursts. Combine that with the anonymity of the internet
and you have some of the most hateful, belligerent, ignorant people
making unfounded accusations, abusive comments, and, well, we’ve
seen how horrible the situation is and can be.
But
it’s more than that.
I
don’t recall, for the majority of my lifetime, people that felt
they were going to be harmed for some reason. And by this, I don’t
mean the far too many people that have valid concerns about their
safety. What I am saying is that in recent years, the way folks
have been threatened, vilified, and attacked for voicing their
beliefs has become shocking.
And,
perhaps, the scariest part of it is that these clowns feel justified
in doing so.
Describing
it isn’t where I want this essay to go, but I think we can all
quickly bring to mind several examples for what I’m saying. Our
world feels less kind, less compassionate, less safe in many corners
than it ever has before. Some might try to prove that as wrong
by pointing out hatred through the ages, but I’d say the world
will always evolve and this feels different. Very different. It
feels like many things are coming apart.
Take
away cell phone cameras and social media and all sorts of constantly
under surveillance technology and such of today. While the volume
was being raised on occasion to obnoxious levels in the past,
the truth is that the bars appear to have been raised significantly
just by the presence of that technology and new distribution platforms.
It
results in a situation where the feels-like idea, that I think
some folks have an apprehension about these things because of
appearances, brings about a factual truth. The world feels different…
America feels different… more divided and emotionally charged,
than it ever has around me in my lifetime. And the ability to
document events or reach out without accountability is frightening.
That’s
where I’d like to jump in with the thoughts I had for this piece.
I
don’t believe folks are as good, or as patient, with how they
care for others. We’ve reached new heights of me-me-me in everything.
Far less doing of good deeds and caring for others. And I think
I’ve arrived at three things that we don’t do, at least not fully,
that could change a lot of results.
As
you might tell from the title, the idea is care, listen and act.
Overall,
I think there are plenty of things each of us cares about. The
first question is, how much do we care? And even deeper, what
do we think about others and the things that are important to
them? Are we willing to make sacrifices for them? Are we willing
to recognize and accept the things that others care about?
Tricky
propositions. I would propose that most me-me-me folks don’t give
a darn about anything others might want unless it directly benefits
them. (Me. Me. ME! Always, me.) Which leads us to…
Listening.
Not
quick-hit, information limited, facts redacted, absent-minded
and non-attentive listening. I mean truly listening to the entire
picture. Patiently. Fully. Considering details and how others
feel. Open to conversation. Open to differences.
Then,
bring those two together. Can you imagine the result if all of
us were willing to express what we care about, hear what others
care about, and do the work to find out the deep realities? Just
the concept of a time where people realize we’re not all the same,
face vastly different situations and circumstances and experiences,
and are willing to believe that another’s opinions and beliefs
and desires and rights are as valid as our own seems so wonderful
that it’s amazing it isn’t true.
And
there’s more.
Then
take a final step into action.
Not
quick, must do, something is better than nothing action.
A
true searching for immediate and lasting solutions action. A true
planned to be beneficial action.
We
could offer up so many amazing concepts, from the disposal of
tires off the Florida coast to the repurposing of landfills, where
many might be willing to accept that no harm was intended. But
in example after example, quick decisions, or plans without honest
long-range consideration, were eventually proven to be disastrous.
(And if you’re not convinced, do your homework on Love Canal.
Then realize that Love Canal is not an isolated incident.)
I
want to hear what you’re passionate about. I hope you want to
hear about my concerns. And together, perhaps we can find some
ways of improving the world for all of us.
But
it’s not going to happen while we remain divided over reality.
Not going to happen while we scream and yell and accuse without
just cause. Not going to happen while we don’t respect each other
or accept responsibility for our own positions.
To
start, we have to care. And we have to care about being better.