The internet and the world have been abuzz about a variety of hot topics this week. I have learned (re-learned really) a few things:

People get scared.

And when people are scared, when cornered by change or struggles, they can bite back. Sometimes with angry words. Sometimes with rocks. But they are scared people who need to feel understood and loved, not feel hatred shoved back at them.

I’m like them.

I’ve felt that feeling before too. When I feel cornered like that I want to feel heard and loved. I need to remember to listen and be patient.

History and law are complicated.

They involve many players I’ve never heard of. Many events I’ve never witnessed. And people seem very quick to forget the impact of that history on a culture, a region, a religion — on tradition itself.

The logic of civil law doesn’t line up with my logic in the same way that I think they might.

And I when I get ready to say the would “should” there I’m already losing the battle of understanding.

We reap what we sow.

When we don’t invest in people as valuable to part of our culture there will be pain. Often that pain is felt by a minority. Sometimes that pain hits everyone. Either way, it’s painful and needs to be address holistically and not swept under the rug. The hidden dirt will eventually spill out and make the house quite messy.

News isn’t news

It’s often one-sided and really bad storytelling. It doesn’t exist for information, it exists now for persuasion. It’s important to take in many different sources before making up my mind. And it’s very important to read it from various perspectives: outsiders, insiders, minorities, majorities.

Sometimes I just need to sit with it because I can’t change it

It’s uncomfortable. It doesn’t feel good. But sometimes I just need to let it wash over me so I don’t try to change it or fix it when it’s not my place to. But I can’t hide from it.

Sometimes I need to speak up or act

But when I do, I want to do it as a peacemaker; as a bridge builder. The world doesn’t need another terrorist (trying to kill ideas by words or action). It needs people willing to enter into the hard times with an open mind and listening ear.

It needs people who want to be intentionally about their life, the lives of others around them, and generations to come they won’t even see.

What have you been reminded of about life recently?
Leave it in the comments below or tweet me @andystenz