While on vacation in Scotland last week, I saw news that crossed my technology professional side regarding Artificial Intelligence with my spiritual formation professional side about being able to say any hateful thing without repercussion. (I really don’t know the whole “woke/anti-woke” non-debate. I really don’t want to know! Being me, I would probably not endorse either camp.)
When politicians speak, I use a translator like the Babel fish in Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Some people call it a BS filter. That’s a little different. I use that often listening to marketing people.
But something I do know—because of long, hard, bitter experience. Words matter.
Used properly they build up, heal, guide. Otherwise they spread hate, hurt people, demotivate.
It’s easier to slow down and choose the right ones than it is to try to take the wrong one back.
At least four books have come my way recently about the importance of holding civil conversations with people with whom you may disagree.
Most would go along with my previous post about Be Curious, Not Judgmental. Ask questions and listen—honestly, really, listen. Not to argue. But to understand. It’s not noises in the ear canal. Engage brain, engage heart, focus on the other.
Kindness, care, gentle spirit, accepting (even if not agreeing).
Like the Youngbloods sang in 1967, “Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now.”
[Note: The Babel fish is a small, bright yellow fish, which can be placed in someone’s ear in order for them to be able to hear any language translated into their first language. Ford Prefect puts one in Arthur Dent’s ear at the beginning of the story so that he can hear the Vogon speech.}
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 