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Degrees of Separation, Degrees of Belonging
November 30, 2022
At this crucial time in our lives, when everything is so desperate, when every day is a matter of survival, I don't think you can help but be involved.
-Nina Simone, American musician, 1933-2003
-Nina Simone, American musician, 1933-2003
Today, I want to step out of our usual ExchangeEveryDay mode and speak on a more personal note. The most recent episodes of public gun violence have hit close to home for members of our team. Their children or friends, while not physically harmed, were present and forever changed. We have sat together in silence, frustration and sadness wondering what is next and what we can do. These events—and working in an organization that values and supports heart-centered listening—sparked a deep conversation about the need for connection that emerges from chaos and loss, the need to connect because of our similarities and across our differences, and what active presence of mind (and heart) it takes to connect in such times.
Practicing heart-centered listening—being fully present to another’s content and tone, being receptive to the person speaking so they feel truly heard, and being open to deeper meanings—has allowed us as a team to venture into such difficult topics and build stronger relationships. It is often by focusing on listening, rather than talking, that we feel this deeper sense of belonging and connection that many of us long for.
Our hearts go out to everyone whose lives are touched by violence. May our daily efforts to really see and listen to the children and adults around us have a ripple effect in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.
Practicing heart-centered listening—being fully present to another’s content and tone, being receptive to the person speaking so they feel truly heard, and being open to deeper meanings—has allowed us as a team to venture into such difficult topics and build stronger relationships. It is often by focusing on listening, rather than talking, that we feel this deeper sense of belonging and connection that many of us long for.
Our hearts go out to everyone whose lives are touched by violence. May our daily efforts to really see and listen to the children and adults around us have a ripple effect in pursuit of a more just and peaceful world.
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Comments (9)
Displaying All 9 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Thanks back at you, Nancy - you know how instrumental your leadership has been in creating space for listening and fostering connection.
Eugene, OR, United States
Melanie, my heart goes out to you. I feel especially for parents -friends, family - who lose loved ones to suicide in a world that doesn't like to talk about it, or compassionately confront the issues, distress and mental health challenges that may contribute to it. I honor both your daughter's life and your grief. I hope we all can courageously commit to learning how to express our distress and to hold space for others to do the same.
SVC
Anacortes, WA, United States
I lost my daughter to gun violence. Self inflicted, mortal life ending for her, abidingly devastating for her friends and family.
Thank you for not letting another loss go unspoken due to our inability to express the depth of our distress.
Con cariño,
Melanie
Retired
Lincoln , NE, United States
Oops. I tried adding a heart icon but it showed up as question marks. I have NO question about the importance of this message!
Retired
Lincoln , NE, United States
Thank you so much for this heartfelt message, Kirsten. ??
Eugene, OR, United States
Small and large actions indeed, Margie...I feel like each one of us in our ECE community worldwide, in being with children in thoughtful, supportive and powerful ways each day, is taking life-giving action in all we do.
Seattle, WA, United States
Thanks, Kirsten, for bringing such a personal message that touches us all. These times call us to be deeper in our empathetic listening, wider with our courage and generosity, more active in our work to reject this ongoing gun violence. Together we can transform this culture of death with our collective life-giving small and large actions.
Eugene, OR, United States
John, thank you. We feel your support. Thank you for the work you and PEACE (https://peaceeducators.org) do to promote nonviolence, care and justice.
Charlottesville, VA, United States
We’re with you.
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