Connection

            White noise. The distractions generated by endless information, clouded by strong emotions or beliefs, both ours, and that of the other.

            At a glance it seems impossible to reconcile(for how can one reconcile the barrage of charged, incongruous information?). A lot of people are comfortable with that. It’s easy to say “that person/group is ‘crazy/backwards/evil/wrong’ and they are the ones who need to change”. As I’ve stated before, change is hard. There likely will always be some level of noise swirling around the world, generated by misunderstandings and perpetuated by paranoia, overreaction. In this era of strife, tension, and terrorism, curiosity becomes replaced by fear, and the unknown is no longer an opportunity to connect or discover, but rather a threat to be avoided, or destroyed.
            It’s important to examine these things. Honestly, as living, growing, evolving beings, we should always reassess the things that make us who we are. The things that make ‘people’. This examination holds true for both the self and the other, for we may come to realize things in ourselves should be rethought, refined. Likewise, we may discover admirable qualities in others, or things about these others inconsistent with what we have previously associated with them.
            This examination is a first and crucial step. Connection is dependent upon growth, and growth is dependent on understanding(conscious or unconscious). However, even when complete understanding (or agreement) cannot be reached, it is important to recognize the effort for such.

            Part of the reason that people are quick to accept thoughts and beliefs of questionable truth is the desire to connect. For the sake of belonging, it can be easy to acknowledge something that does not quite sit right with the soul, or to take in something without studying or questioning it. This allows one to avoid conflicts in the short term with those they desire to bond with. It’s matters of mitigation and magnification all over again.
            To facilitate healthy connections with others, we must find ways to deconstruct misunderstandings without deconstructing the people who harbor them. It does no good to castigate- a hardened heart will not change. Growth is a difficult enough process on its own, even without harsh words. Encouragement and support are key. We need to recognize others’ efforts to connect with us, even if there remains some level of disagreement, even if their understanding is incomplete, incorrect. Remember, they are people, as are we, and we too may be incomplete, incorrect, in our understanding.
            We can still come together with others who do not think exactly as we do- this goes for both the different, and the misinformed. What matters most is that we keep trying, in earnest, and encourage others to do the same. Sometimes, when people reach out, even in earnest, they mess up. Sometimes they falter. Sometimes they don’t even realize that the things they believe are inaccurate, or untrue. We need to guide them. To open the minds of others, we, with open minds, need to reach out to them.

            And when we do, those who truly wish to connect will come around.