I've got a dozen or so very important, and wonderful friends and family members, that get on me about my Facebook posts. They push back. They tell me to stay away from politics. They tell me I do too much multi-tasking on Facebook. They say I should limit it to three posts a day, and none at all about anything even remotely political or controversial. They complain that I don't listen, or that I always criticize (when I am just being devil's advocate or disagreeing). These people are important to me. Occasionally, I will take down a thread entirely, if by their response I can tell it was a "miss."
One of my closest life friends, since 6th grade, 45 years ago, has been particularly irritated at me for over a year. The political climate has pushed her to the Left, like . . . all the way to the Left (as far as I am concerned). But I am a passionate believer in the Center. To me, the Center is highly principled. It is very narrow ground. It is a high-level concept. It takes more work and more focus. Creativity resides in the Center. The Center has balance. Healthy growth occurs there. And the Center stays connected with everybody.
Yesterday, I wrote some praises about Johnny Cash, and his principled stand on some things Left, some things Right, and how it all found fertile ground in his character and among his fan base. My friend bewailed that it is different now. "There is no middle ground now."
To be honest, if my middle ground is taken away, you might as well decrease my oxygen. It's all I see, and all I care about. There isn't a problem humanity can't solve . . . or prevent . . . if we simply listened to each other, learned from one another, and integrated our thinking towards innovative solutions. I believe in Win-Win and the Third Option.
I think that what my friend really meant to say is: "There is middle ground, but if you wander into it, everybody on the edge will start shooting at you."
She's right. That's what happens.
The middle ground is deep, wide, and long. But nobody wants to go out there any more, so we hew closely to the edges.
I've made sloppy attempts to draw people out into the Center, (on Social Media), by making assertions for them to think about, and challenging some of their assumptions. I've always believed this is a good practice. But in our times, if someone doesn't like the way you worded something, they jump too quickly to a label about your character, or lack of ethics. A person's words are not their character. If we have to weigh every single word we communicate, we will lose the ability to communicate. Social Media is failing as a place to have meaningful dialogue.
My life philosophy lets people blunder when they try to communicate. It permits them to take risks with their words, since all good things come from risk. And besides, my commitment to respect and dignity for all people requires me to let people speak what's on their minds, without returning a judgment upon them. Karla has been excellent in this regard, which is why I enjoy talking to her so much.
My life philosophy is my response to modern problems. We need to meet one another, be with one another, talk to one another. The more diverse, the better. Shut yourself up into a moving vehicle. Have a meal together. Show up. Talk.
I've developed or co-developed three projects that focus people away from partisan groups, and back towards the groups that really matter: Family, Community, and Diversity. Our way out of our present mess is to commit to all three.
1) My Faith-Family Assistance (FFA) Program promotes multi-generational linkages, within large extended family groups. We are first addressing the problem of educational funding. We believe that people solving society's problems within families are doing it the most efficient way, as well as the right way. And families that are close, and that take care of each other, do not permit politics to mess up a good thing.
2) The Hudson Education Center (HECmusic.org) is how I serve the community and it's most important citizens: youth and the elderly, through the gift of music. Music brings people together. They perform on teams that are more functional, and more rewarding, than political causes and groups. It's hard to be mad at someone when you're singing and tapping your feet with them. Music and Creativity are first cousins to each other.
3) Michigan by the Numbers. My third project is these drives with Karla. We simply have to start showing up with The Other Side. City must meet country. Left must meet Right. Boomer must meet X-er and X-er must meet Y-er. They must meet. And they must talk. They must become friends. I've found that the things that Karla and I agree on way outnumber the disagreements - and it does not have anything to do with political party platforms.
So, going back to my friend that said there is no Middle Ground: these three projects, and especially my rides with Karla, is my response to today's dysfunctionality. We're getting it all wrong with our Social Media "conversations." My Three Priorities are right in the Middle. And they spread me out all over the vast expanse of the Center. I'm a clear target, but I'm a moving target. I'd rather do, than talk.
I've put myself in a position to listen, and to see for myself. I recommend it.
Our Present Status: With the return to school, Karla and I have had to take a hiatus from our Michigan Adventure. This mostly affects me, as I work every day in a 5th and 6th grade building. At the same time, my non-profit is in operation on weeknights and Saturdays. And I am usually active Sunday mornings, in music. Something will have to give, and I am committed to making this project a priority.
Next Up: Grand Rapids. This will be our first extended day trip, where we have to drive further to get to our drive, than the drive itself. We hope to get this done within the next two weeks.
Moving Forward: Our project is valuable. Karla and I are in a car where we have to talk, at great lengths. And we're going into new places, for one or both of us. We're forced to meet new people and try new things. Best yet, everybody we meet is our neighbor. As members of the same state, we all have the same things at stake. We will go to schools, downtown areas, community festivals, and churches.
We will need financial support. To that end we will set up a fundraising campaign. A tax-deductible option will be available. Please look for that soon, and know that we truly appreciate your help.
One of my closest life friends, since 6th grade, 45 years ago, has been particularly irritated at me for over a year. The political climate has pushed her to the Left, like . . . all the way to the Left (as far as I am concerned). But I am a passionate believer in the Center. To me, the Center is highly principled. It is very narrow ground. It is a high-level concept. It takes more work and more focus. Creativity resides in the Center. The Center has balance. Healthy growth occurs there. And the Center stays connected with everybody.
Yesterday, I wrote some praises about Johnny Cash, and his principled stand on some things Left, some things Right, and how it all found fertile ground in his character and among his fan base. My friend bewailed that it is different now. "There is no middle ground now."
To be honest, if my middle ground is taken away, you might as well decrease my oxygen. It's all I see, and all I care about. There isn't a problem humanity can't solve . . . or prevent . . . if we simply listened to each other, learned from one another, and integrated our thinking towards innovative solutions. I believe in Win-Win and the Third Option.
I think that what my friend really meant to say is: "There is middle ground, but if you wander into it, everybody on the edge will start shooting at you."
She's right. That's what happens.
The middle ground is deep, wide, and long. But nobody wants to go out there any more, so we hew closely to the edges.
I've made sloppy attempts to draw people out into the Center, (on Social Media), by making assertions for them to think about, and challenging some of their assumptions. I've always believed this is a good practice. But in our times, if someone doesn't like the way you worded something, they jump too quickly to a label about your character, or lack of ethics. A person's words are not their character. If we have to weigh every single word we communicate, we will lose the ability to communicate. Social Media is failing as a place to have meaningful dialogue.
My life philosophy lets people blunder when they try to communicate. It permits them to take risks with their words, since all good things come from risk. And besides, my commitment to respect and dignity for all people requires me to let people speak what's on their minds, without returning a judgment upon them. Karla has been excellent in this regard, which is why I enjoy talking to her so much.
My life philosophy is my response to modern problems. We need to meet one another, be with one another, talk to one another. The more diverse, the better. Shut yourself up into a moving vehicle. Have a meal together. Show up. Talk.
I've developed or co-developed three projects that focus people away from partisan groups, and back towards the groups that really matter: Family, Community, and Diversity. Our way out of our present mess is to commit to all three.
1) My Faith-Family Assistance (FFA) Program promotes multi-generational linkages, within large extended family groups. We are first addressing the problem of educational funding. We believe that people solving society's problems within families are doing it the most efficient way, as well as the right way. And families that are close, and that take care of each other, do not permit politics to mess up a good thing.
2) The Hudson Education Center (HECmusic.org) is how I serve the community and it's most important citizens: youth and the elderly, through the gift of music. Music brings people together. They perform on teams that are more functional, and more rewarding, than political causes and groups. It's hard to be mad at someone when you're singing and tapping your feet with them. Music and Creativity are first cousins to each other.
3) Michigan by the Numbers. My third project is these drives with Karla. We simply have to start showing up with The Other Side. City must meet country. Left must meet Right. Boomer must meet X-er and X-er must meet Y-er. They must meet. And they must talk. They must become friends. I've found that the things that Karla and I agree on way outnumber the disagreements - and it does not have anything to do with political party platforms.
So, going back to my friend that said there is no Middle Ground: these three projects, and especially my rides with Karla, is my response to today's dysfunctionality. We're getting it all wrong with our Social Media "conversations." My Three Priorities are right in the Middle. And they spread me out all over the vast expanse of the Center. I'm a clear target, but I'm a moving target. I'd rather do, than talk.
I've put myself in a position to listen, and to see for myself. I recommend it.
--Now, some updates on our Daytrips, since I have not blogged in a while.--
Next Up: Grand Rapids. This will be our first extended day trip, where we have to drive further to get to our drive, than the drive itself. We hope to get this done within the next two weeks.
Moving Forward: Our project is valuable. Karla and I are in a car where we have to talk, at great lengths. And we're going into new places, for one or both of us. We're forced to meet new people and try new things. Best yet, everybody we meet is our neighbor. As members of the same state, we all have the same things at stake. We will go to schools, downtown areas, community festivals, and churches.
We will need financial support. To that end we will set up a fundraising campaign. A tax-deductible option will be available. Please look for that soon, and know that we truly appreciate your help.
Thank you for your time!! And Grand Rapids: We'll see you soon!!
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