I try to put things in perspective by trying to "reframe" them- creatively come up with a completely different reason why someone is doing something that the one that immediately comes to mind. For example, is the person yelling at a store clerk severely sleep deprived? Or do they have an ill family member? Even if I'm wrong, I end up treating them with compassion and then that's reflected back to me.
Wonderful post! Our book launch Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times is going well and we would love to connect to magnify your message.
I think about your work all the time, Amanda, with increasing gratitude as events unfold! What helps me put our problems in perspective is having a deeper understanding of their source, because I think that is the greatest leverage point for change. My latest post speaks to this. Thanks again for all you do. This country badly needs what you are doing. https://difficultconversations.substack.com/p/animal-control
Just stumbled upon this wonderful piece. I have come too much the same conclusion in my own profession, history. Historians, like journalists, focus relentlessly on what went wrong in the past. I dutifully have done so as well, as I was trained to do. But I have come to realize how distorted that approach can be. That is part of why I started my own Substack called “What’s Gone Right.” It focuses on people, ideas, and movements that have gone well in the past, and have helped to create a more just an equitable world today.
I try to put things in perspective by trying to "reframe" them- creatively come up with a completely different reason why someone is doing something that the one that immediately comes to mind. For example, is the person yelling at a store clerk severely sleep deprived? Or do they have an ill family member? Even if I'm wrong, I end up treating them with compassion and then that's reflected back to me.
Thank you for ALL of this, Amanda. I started researching how Builder and Solutions Journalism can be part of my work and part of my hope.
I'm so glad to hear that, Valerie! Let me know if you come across other organizations I should add to this list!
"I wanted to be a hero, too."
You ARE a hero! And you've done it by helping people solve their problems 😊
Aww, thanks Alex! You're the best!
Wonderful post! Our book launch Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times is going well and we would love to connect to magnify your message.
I think about your work all the time, Amanda, with increasing gratitude as events unfold! What helps me put our problems in perspective is having a deeper understanding of their source, because I think that is the greatest leverage point for change. My latest post speaks to this. Thanks again for all you do. This country badly needs what you are doing. https://difficultconversations.substack.com/p/animal-control
Thank you, Kern, for the kind words--and for the incredible work you do at the Difficult Conversations Project. I can't wait to read this post!
Just stumbled upon this wonderful piece. I have come too much the same conclusion in my own profession, history. Historians, like journalists, focus relentlessly on what went wrong in the past. I dutifully have done so as well, as I was trained to do. But I have come to realize how distorted that approach can be. That is part of why I started my own Substack called “What’s Gone Right.” It focuses on people, ideas, and movements that have gone well in the past, and have helped to create a more just an equitable world today.
Thank you for this great article!