Listening Rather Than “Izing”

A few months back, I made a commitment.

People spilled into streets across the nation. Frustration born of long-held pain and anger boiled over. As always, many folks retreated to their corners and tossed out familiar talking points. It was an exercise in “Izing.” Politicizing, dichotomizing, polarizing, demonizing, and spiritualizing.

When things become “Ized,” nothing gets solved. So I made a commitment to listen. And since you’re reading this (thank you!), I invite you to listen as well.

When you listen, sometimes you hear uncomfortable stuff that conflicts with long-held beliefs. It’s hard, but the conflict forces a choice between empathy and compassion or all those “Izes.”

Listening doesn’t mean agreeing. It means offering the space for expression and the time to demonstrate understanding.

For me, this isn’t about democracy. That matters, of course, but it’s simpler and broader.

We’re all God’s children.

With that in mind, I invite you to watch and listen to this video.

Can’t see the video? Click here.

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