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When it’s Not Enough to Observe, Listen, and Learn
Putting thoughts into action
By nature I learn by observation, listening, reading, and trying to look at all sides of an issue. I don’t always engage or publicize my thoughts. I’ve posted things in the past that others have found inflammatory or flat out wrong. But when I moved out of my comfort zone and have shared my thoughts rich discussion has come from it. It doesn’t mean that my mind has changed on an issue, or that I have changed someone else’s, but what does come from the discussion is more information and it humanizes a topic. There are times I start to engage, but the when the ensuing conversation isn’t a discussion but more of an attack, I bow out. I don’t say any more, and I move on. Right or wrong, I’m not up for a fight, but I am up for learning. And after learning comes change.
But what does change look like? In recent months, the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Elijah McClain have gained notice. There has been a lot of talk of “silence is complicity” but also of staying in your own lane and not overstepping boundaries. I have spent the last few weeks reading articles, looking for answers, joining groups, and listening. I have been trying to find my lane and live it transparently. I usually don’t speak up publicly, but I listen and I learn. That sounds like a cop out…
