me arts ed

Pause and reflect

Veterans Day, a day to pause and consider what today means. Americans are deeply divided and everyday it seems like there are more challenges in bringing people together. In my mind it’s simple: invite people with differences to the table, provide the opportunity to express their beliefs and determine how to compromise so the world can move to a more peaceful place. And, collectively tackle essential problems like food shortages, the homeless (unhoused, unsheltered), alternative sources of energy, and other important topics. The outcomes of the conversation: action. We need to take care of people and the environment and our world! I realize that I’ve simplified it and that it is not so easy.

Maybe it’s the teacher and/or the artist in me. While disagreeing, being angry, exchanging strong language, middle school students arguments most often are settled within minutes. Listen to each side of the story while students are listening to each other. Listening so a student feels heard while working the problem through as they stand in the corner of the room, the hallway, a moment between classes, and sometimes the administrators office. Focus on how the altercation can be solved, encourage creative solutions. In severe cases a repercussion is issued, parents are called informing them of the situation. Yes, yes, I know that its not always that easy. When you think about the scene, it’s kind of amazing what teachers do in these scenarios. Perhaps governments should watch, listen, and learn from the examples of teachers.

As I pause today, my point is that a situation with students is the closest to fighting in a war or defending a country I’ve ever come. I heard some stories from my father who fought in WWII that have helped inform me. I’m more ready to learn now and sadly my dad is no longer on earth for him to be my teacher. I’m reading books to help me fill in my lack of experiences (and the times that I was sleeping in my high school history class). The first hand accounts of individuals and groups are definitely enlightening but at the end of the day I don’t have the experience of hiding from the enemy in a fox hole, coming face to face with the other person both with guns in hand or moving out of an area because the enemy has reconfigured their position. I agree with the old Native American phrase: “You can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.”

What’s it really about? In my opinion it’s about empathy and trust. Veterans Day is an opportunity to teach, learn, and practice empathy. Where do we learn to be empathetic?! As we go about our business today I will be thinking about my freedoms, about people who don’t have the privileges I do, and considering how to practice empathy and build trust. I am remembering that I live in a free country because of people like my father who were willing to volunteer, stand up and fight for our freedoms. If you don’t agree that we live in a free country I suggest that you visit a country that isn’t free and perhaps you’ll have a different view. I am well aware that the freedoms I have are not experienced by all who live in the US. My recent readings have helped clarify that for me. Go Back to Where You Came From by Wahajat Ali. I encourage you to read the book.

I hope that you have time to pause today and reflect through writing, making art, going for a walk, and/or communicating with a neighbor, friend or family member. Simply saying hello and smiling at someone you didn’t know when you woke up today could make a difference in the world. Even if it’s only for a moment, it could be the one moment that will help you and/or others.

I finish this blog post with something that came across my desk this week. A segment of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech from January 20, 1961.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.