InSpiritry

“Two monologues do not make a dialogue.”

Jeff Daly 

There were two notable events in American politics this week. As with most things, if we are mindful, there is wisdom to be gained in each. The first news item was President Obama’s much anticipated State of the Union Address. In it, the President affirmed America’s strengths and issued a call to our best intentions.  With calm resolve, he reminded us of how progressive economic policies have avoided the second Great Depression imminent just a year and a half ago; he also encouraged us to have the courage and conviction to continue our progress. Most commentators agree: it was a good speech with a timely and encouraging message. Those of us who deeply believe Barak Obama is uniquely-suited to lead America forward were re-inspired; for their part, the President’s detractors also seem to feel positively about his intentions, if still somewhat skeptical about his ideas.

The second newsworthy political event of the week, though much less publicized and prognosticated, was just as significant. It was the invitation of the President to –and his appearance at — a meeting of the Republican caucus. While fewer Americans watched this drama unfold, those who did witnessed a powerful example of peace in action. With humor and candor, the President framed the current political crisis as a bitter squabble between old friends.  He disdained name-calling, suggested dialogue and promised an open ear. Republicans responded by speaking their concerns and asking tough questions. Even from the distance of a television screen, the lessening of tensions was discernable. People began to remember we all want things to be better.

Since the beginning of the last presidential election season, and the coinciding economic crisis that swept away any notions we had of the morality of money, our country has been hijacked by anger.

The healthcare debate was the most visible victim of our bickering, but there have been other casualties; namely, a progressive energy policy and global environmental concerns. To their credit, Republicans took the initiative this time. Sidestepping Congressional Democrats who cast them as avaricious villains, they issued an invitation to dialogue with the President. For his part, he graciously, and perhaps gratefully, accepted. We can hope that the next step is similar behavior between the members of the two political parties and millions of Independents.

At the risk of stating the obvious, here are the lessons I think Washington offered us this week in the President’sk address and his conversation with Republicans. The ideas are as practical and essential for our day-to-day personal lives as for our government leaders.  As food for thought, I have included the InSpiritry version of each suggestion.

• Have the courage to go directly to those with whom you disagree; seek community. 
• Open your heart to try to understand and empathize with the other person’s story; have compassion. 
• Speak honestly about your opinions, beliefs, feelings, experiences and desires…and then listen; communicate. 
• Insist on and offer a dialogue of civility and purposefulness; connect and collaborate. 
• Widen your lens to gather new information and deeper understanding; look for consilience. 
• Open your mind to a variety of innovative approaches and compromises; be creative. 
• Hold yourself accountable to recognize and embrace win-win solutions: celebrate success. 

Rereading the list, like me, you may be wondering: Why don’t we do these things all the time?

The answer is that each of us –everyday people or powerful politicians—fears failure. And in the midst of risk, when we sense impending disaster, when the unknown looms large or when we focus on insisting on a specific outcome, we become bullies. We get mad. We brag. We name call. We force our way in. We push others aside. We attack those in our way. We ignore injuries. Worst of all, we justify all actions, however inhumane or destructive, as necessary.  All that has happened to our precious country during the past few months.  My own greatest grief is that it happened in the wake of the world’s celebration of a historic American moment – President Barak Obama’s election.

Whatever our politics, this week should give us pause, because we all need the wisdom it offered.  In our homes and offices and cars and coffee shops and social networks, we have echoed the warfare in Washington. In the past few days, we have been given a personal example of peace and its promise of progress. Will we follow that example or resume our obstructive bullying? An avid fan of humanity, possibility and the Greater Good, I will hope we have learned our lesson.

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