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How?


How can we learn if we close our minds?
How can we change if we refuse to see?
How can we connect if we learn to mock that which is different?

I invite you to agree with me or disagree.
Be respectful.
Share your opinion and listen to mine.
That's when we grow...
during those uncomfortable conversations.

I've worked on being a better listener and
Listen beyond the words that are spoken.
What are you saying without words?
Listen.
Show grace.
Show up.
Presume positive intent.

Will that change the world?
It might change a tiny corner of it.
That's how real change will happen...
one tiny corner at a time.

This poem was inspired by our world today. It's one attempt (of MANY) to make sense of the world around me and to find a way to make it better.


March is the Slice of Life Challenge.
I'll be sharing a post each day in the month of March.
Please join me at Two Writing Teachers to read more slices!
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Comments

  1. DogtraxMarch 12, 2018 at 5:28 AM

    Presume positive intent ... yes.
    Kevin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Molly HoganMarch 12, 2018 at 5:38 AM

    Making change in our own little corner of the world is so important.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kathleen Neagle SokolowskiMarch 12, 2018 at 5:59 AM

    Beautiful thoughts. I love the line "Show grace." I can do that when people are gracious to me, but working on it when people don't. That's way tougher. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Chris MargocsMarch 12, 2018 at 7:27 AM

    Timely poem. Reminds me of a segment on CBS' Sunday Morning yesterday, about a woman who stubbornly flew the Confederate flag in her yard despite the hurt it gave her neighbors...until she had a heart attack, and she truly started listening to them. The flag came down.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa KeelerMarch 12, 2018 at 8:13 AM

    Such good reminders for all of us in here... I love the line 'presume positive intent..."

    ReplyDelete
  6. RamonaMarch 12, 2018 at 11:58 AM

    Now that I spend more time driving, I'm trying to show grace to my fellow commuters. It's hard, but the only person affected when I act grouchy is me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Leigh Anne EckMarch 12, 2018 at 6:41 PM

    One tiny corner at a time, yes!

    ReplyDelete

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