Avivah, “seeing the weave," is such an elegant way of saying what later life actually offers. Not more experience, but finally being able to read the pattern in it. The bit about roles repeating (you as the listener for sibling stories, a generation apart) made me pause for a moment.
The listening role stopped me because although I have been a “listener” in my career as a consultant I was expected to, of course, respond with words of wisdom that would solve their problems. Now semi-retired living in Latin America I still spend a lot of time listening to people but not because they want me to solve anything, they just want to be heard. That makes the listening part much easier to me and more enjoyable to the person sharing. So this new “role” feels like being a silent mentor if that makes any sense.
"Building connections across differences. Not eliminating them. Not persuading everyone to agree. Simply making it easier to cross, even just occasionally, from one world into another. From one person’s shoes to another’s. To become ‘fluent’ across people, cultures and traditions.
The thought is strangely comforting. For much of my life I believed that if I built the most beautiful, (emotionally) intelligent bridges, people would be ready to cross over them. If I chose the right place, opened the right door, hosted the right conversation, connection would follow.
Age has taught me the inevitable. You can build the bridges. You can’t make people cross them."
Profound. Beautiful. Just wish the last line shifts over time, as bridges become more mainstream.
Happy Birthday! And congratulation on all the other aniversaries 🎂🎂🎂
Avivah, “seeing the weave," is such an elegant way of saying what later life actually offers. Not more experience, but finally being able to read the pattern in it. The bit about roles repeating (you as the listener for sibling stories, a generation apart) made me pause for a moment.
What roles have you taken on Anthony?
The listening role stopped me because although I have been a “listener” in my career as a consultant I was expected to, of course, respond with words of wisdom that would solve their problems. Now semi-retired living in Latin America I still spend a lot of time listening to people but not because they want me to solve anything, they just want to be heard. That makes the listening part much easier to me and more enjoyable to the person sharing. So this new “role” feels like being a silent mentor if that makes any sense.
"Building connections across differences. Not eliminating them. Not persuading everyone to agree. Simply making it easier to cross, even just occasionally, from one world into another. From one person’s shoes to another’s. To become ‘fluent’ across people, cultures and traditions.
The thought is strangely comforting. For much of my life I believed that if I built the most beautiful, (emotionally) intelligent bridges, people would be ready to cross over them. If I chose the right place, opened the right door, hosted the right conversation, connection would follow.
Age has taught me the inevitable. You can build the bridges. You can’t make people cross them."
Profound. Beautiful. Just wish the last line shifts over time, as bridges become more mainstream.