I was struck by your comment - “this was a real rare exchange” - because that was my reaction as well.
This was a situation where the fellow took time to think through his points and carefully articulate them - ironically the opposite of what we see in most opposing posts.
I would like to think talking with him in “real time” would be just as satisfying.
My challenge is that my non-confrontational personality is literally afraid to start the conversation. I worry I’ll destroy a friendship that exists outside of our political differences. The common wisdom is to talk about shared values and dreams but with good friends, we already have had those discussions! And so, it becomes even more frustrating to respect how we’ve reached such different conclusions.
The tension between shared values and divergent conclusions is a striking one, isn't it? How the very values that may have drawn us into friendship can show up so differently when filtered through political beliefs. Your fear about damaging the friendship is so valid. I've felt it too. It's vulnerable to initiate these conversations when we don't really know how they'll land or whether they'll erode trust. I think that hesitation is a sign you care deeply about both the person and the relationship which is a wonderful thing. So much of what we see online is performative or combative. But I feel like my exchange was a glimpse of what's possible when both people come with the intent to understand, not win. Love you!
I guess it makes sense that the I Ching would be a start for our differences, but I never would have thought of it. I'm too busy being angry. There are some opposing "truths" that would be interesting to discuss. However, there are some actions, or lack thereof, by this administration that I find cruel, lacking insight, illegal and unforgivable. So, I think I had best leave it to you to find common ground. You're just the woman that could do it.
Sometimes I feel like the overlap is razor thin. Like you, I go through moments of doubt and anger. Then I remind myself where we would be if others had given up hope in the past. ❤️
I was struck by your comment - “this was a real rare exchange” - because that was my reaction as well.
This was a situation where the fellow took time to think through his points and carefully articulate them - ironically the opposite of what we see in most opposing posts.
I would like to think talking with him in “real time” would be just as satisfying.
My challenge is that my non-confrontational personality is literally afraid to start the conversation. I worry I’ll destroy a friendship that exists outside of our political differences. The common wisdom is to talk about shared values and dreams but with good friends, we already have had those discussions! And so, it becomes even more frustrating to respect how we’ve reached such different conclusions.
It’s so sad.
The tension between shared values and divergent conclusions is a striking one, isn't it? How the very values that may have drawn us into friendship can show up so differently when filtered through political beliefs. Your fear about damaging the friendship is so valid. I've felt it too. It's vulnerable to initiate these conversations when we don't really know how they'll land or whether they'll erode trust. I think that hesitation is a sign you care deeply about both the person and the relationship which is a wonderful thing. So much of what we see online is performative or combative. But I feel like my exchange was a glimpse of what's possible when both people come with the intent to understand, not win. Love you!
I guess it makes sense that the I Ching would be a start for our differences, but I never would have thought of it. I'm too busy being angry. There are some opposing "truths" that would be interesting to discuss. However, there are some actions, or lack thereof, by this administration that I find cruel, lacking insight, illegal and unforgivable. So, I think I had best leave it to you to find common ground. You're just the woman that could do it.
Sometimes I feel like the overlap is razor thin. Like you, I go through moments of doubt and anger. Then I remind myself where we would be if others had given up hope in the past. ❤️