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Something Worth SharingA Simple Answer to Division
I am tired, sad and frustrated with the increasing amount of division in the world. Rather than seeing opposing views come closer together, we all seem to be moving further away from each other. I’m hearing a lot more ‘I’m right, therefore you’re wrong’. There’s a word that I feel is getting in the way of us coming closer together and showing compassion and empathy; the issue is a very small and yet problematic word. That word is ‘OR’. If I insist I am ‘right’ and that you are ‘wrong’ its black or white, right or wrong, win or lose, me or you. The simple answer to this is to understand that many things are not A or B, but that A AND B can - and often do - coexist. The linking approach of ‘and’ shifts a mindset from limited choices to recognising possibilities, fostering collaboration, and embracing complexity. Instead of viewing situations as a trade-off or a contradiction, using "and" acknowledges that multiple, even opposing, realities can coexist and be integrated, leading to more creative solutions and positive communication. "And" creates integration: It suggests that both ideas, needs, or possibilities can exist simultaneously, allowing for broader perspectives and novel solutions.
Ultimately, embracing the power of "and" helps to de-escalate conflict, build trust, and create more inclusive and stable communities by recognising shared goals and interests over perceived divides and differences.
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