I found the comment eruption at Tall Skinny Kiwi this weekend absolutely facinating.
This discussion has come up before, and it will come up again.
Because it has been discussed before on other blogs, it was another opportuntity to learn the ‘hows’ of communication, the dynamics of words, the arts of listening and diffusing, and recognizing opportunity for growing. It was a clear reminder of the emotions and ideas that our words generate. This time the conversation stepped away from polity, less bound by denomination and citizenship.

What facinated me was all the voices.
Young and old, male and female, from different places on the planet.
Angry, sad, discouraged, hopeful, hurt, confused, strong, weak, wise, foolish, kind. Re-active. Pro-active.
Any hot button post has the potential to be a blogging tower of Babel.
Or not.
People in different levels of growth from different countries chimed in and stuck around.
It was lively. It was messy.
And in some healthy ways, some of the discussion became self-correcting.
Bloggers met others they have never read before.
Whooo hooo!

Hurts can addressed with each other.
Kindnesses can be extended.
Links get formed.
Those quick to anger can say I’m sorry.
Those with soft answers can turn away wrath.
Burdens can be shared.
Ideas can be explored.
All kinds of paths can be walked.

Andrew showed up, unaware of what had occurred, and said what he needed to say. Non-defensively. Respectfully. How refreshing.

A personal note to a friend
Can you re-think this statement?
“I would have dragged you down…”
Maybe we could have lifted you up.
Another friend reminded me today that a chord of three is not easily broken.
Hang in there.:^)