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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7975-The-Better-Angels-of-Our-Nature.html
Spiritual: November 16, 2016 Issue [#7975]

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Spiritual


 This week: The Better Angels of Our Nature
  Edited by: SophyBells Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hi, I'm SophyBells Author Icon ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.

The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountaain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. *Smile*


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Letter from the editor

Better Angels of Our Nature

Editors note: While this article addresses the US Presidential election results,
the ideas shared within are applicable to many situations where there is disagreement.

“In a time of anger or despair, even if we feel
overwhelmed, our love is still there. Our capacity to
communicate, to forgive, to be compassionate is
still there. You have to believe this. We are more
than our anger, we are more than our suffering.
We must recognize that we do have within
us the capacity to love, to understand,
to be compassionate, always.”
Thich Nhat Hanh


Many people around the world are reacting to the results of the US Presidential Election. As with political decisions made in any country, there are "winners" and there are "losers" - so just as there are those upset about the Brexit vote in the UK and those who celebrated it, there are those who are happy with the US presidential election results, and those who are unhappy about it. Upset with the outcome or celebrating it - we still have to live with each other, and find ways to move on from the vitriol, anger, and in some cases violence.

One way to do that is to engage in dialog with those who differ from you - really listen to each other. Don't accuse or call names or write someone off. Have an actual conversation - invite them to share with you, and ask them to do the same for you. Not an argument - no refuting points made. True listening - where you hear the other and only speak to ask for clarification. I can get a lot further in a conversation if I start it with, "Would you be willing to talk to me about why you voted the way you did? And be willing to hear why I voted the way I did?" instead of starting with, "How can you defend yourself for voting for such a .... (fill in the blank - liar, racist, crook, mysogonist, etc.)." That just fans the flames that are already fully ignited.

I had a positive exchange with a friend from high school on Facebook (since we no longer live in the same state). I had changed my profile picture to "I'm With Her" in the days before the election. While most of my friends liked my post, Josie instead commented.

Josie: Clearly I'm not with her - but I'm still with you! *Heart*

Sophie: I so appreciate your kindness and civility during this challenging time. Such a breath of fresh air. I have really loved your recent posts, especially today's. They give me hope. Thank you. (She had posted a particularly positive post earlier in the day that I liked.)

Josie: Well, it's getting brutal out there in FB land! If we could only separate a person from a policy, but it's all intertwined, I guess. I'm fine with "Let's agree to disagree."...but then go out there and work towards YOUR vision of the USA without tearing down your friends and family and those on the other "side" of this election. It's tempting, and I have done so to some degree, but have not enjoyed it. It's that darn lower nature that kicks in!

That beginning enabled us to have a real dialog with each other - and even though we still don't agree, we found a way to listen to each other and hear the issues we care about that led us to vote the way we did. And we found agreement that each of us, no matter how we voted, believe that we ought to do things to work toward OUR vision of the world. Even if our visions are different, we both need to be the change we want to see in the world, and not just complain about things we are unhappy with. After the election she reached out to me again, knowing I was in pain. When I thanked her she wrote, "I think something can be said for choosing to present the civil and inclusive side of ourselves given the circumstances. This does not mean we don't have deeper rooted feelings from topic to topic. We do. But we can still be civil and kind."

I understand the many issues that surround this election are more complicated than my few words can address here. And I don't mean to be trite, or ignore the reality that people are angry and afraid - some living in fear of their lives at the worst, or their way of life at the least. This can be said of everyone no matter now they voted. There is a lot of fear and anger in the world right now - some legitimate and some not (yes I realize that is a judgment call on my part). But one way to move forward, together, is to call upon the better angels of our natures.

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.” Abraham Lincoln



Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review. I realize I post mostly poems, but that is because it is tough to find other types of spiritual writing on the site. If you have something you would like me to highlight, please do share it with me, thanks!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2102686 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2102651 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2102587 by Not Available.

Under the Full Beaver Moon Open in new Window. (E)
Words: blanket, glow, snowflakes, trees, twinkle, silence, coat, lights
#2102350 by Prosperous Snow celebrating Author IconMail Icon

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End of the Season Open in new Window. (E)
Leaves play in dehumidifying air as autumn comes to a close.
#2102315 by ~Brian K Compton~ Author IconMail Icon

 
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Volumes Open in new Window. (E)
People are hard to understand
#2102820 by Private Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (October 19, 2016)" Open in new Window. about "All in the Family:"

From An apple a day.... Author Icon
Fantastic newsletter, SophyBells Author Icon

So glad you enjoyed it!

*LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY*

From Quick-Quill Author Icon
Having done my geneaolgy pre Ancestry.com, I used that experience to write my novel. Adding as I sat watching the Jodi Aries Trial while writing the 2nd 50K I was able to add more Mormon fact to the story to substanciate my experience. I love watching "So who do you think you are?" I have learned so much about people and their stories are so fascinating. One in particular, Tony Goldwyn. I'd like to write about his ancestor's settling in the Columbia Gorge. She helped change the name of of Dog River, Or to Hood River because his ancestor said no one would buy produce from Dog River. We all know how good the fruit is from Hood River Oregon.

I love that show - so fascinating to make these discoveries about our own ancestors, and other people's as well!

*LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY*

And one from my September Newsletter on the Spirituality of Work:
From Mia - craving colour Author Icon
Hi Sophy. Thank you for another thoughtful article. The three responses to work at the end of the article highlight the difference between perceiving work as a means to a paycheck and a sense of a greater calling. The third recognizes his craft as his vocation, and living with meaning. He's the one who will continue to use his skills to good purpose throughout his lifetime.

Yes, work infused with spirituality has vision.

Thank you for bringing that into focus.

Thank you for your kind words.

*LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY* *LeafBr* *LeafG* *LeafR* *LeafO* *LeafY*

Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! SophyBells Author Icon

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