“When knowledge is shared, awareness and understanding become greater.

Myths, and misconceptions are dissipated, and barriers of fear melt away.”     Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert

Dear Friends,  

I am reading the book, The Opposite of Hate: a Field Guide to Repairing Our Humanity by Sally Kohn.  The book is an eye-opener for all people who have extreme differences of opinion and sometimes filled with anger due to politics and religion.  She shares her research into WHY people are so angry and hateful.  What I found most important is what really is the opposite of hate.  It isn’t love, or peace, it is CONNECTION.  Here are some of her research observations:

• “Hate is premised on a mind-set of otherizing. Dehumanizing others is the essential root of hate. We put ourselves on a superiority pedestal.
• No one is hardwired to hate transgender people, black people, poor people, Muslims, Republicans  or Democrats. Our tendency towards “tribalism” makes us quick to latch on to society’s existing prejudices and burrow deeper into habits of hate. 
• The reflection of society we’ve created is a reflection of ourselves. We can’t change the world until we change ourselves.  Our first step is challenging the hate inside ourselves, to be conscious of our own hate in all it forms.
• We are all fundamentally linked and equal as human beings and we must support policies and institutions that bring us together, rather than divide us. When we come together in connection-spaces we begin to talk to each other differently with open-mindedness, kindness and compassion of connection -speech.”

Every time Steve and I go to an event or hold an event we meet new people, and create bonds and friendships where we never thought we would.  When we talk and connect with others, the ‘other’ becomes important to us. He or she becomes someone we know personally. It doesn’t matter what faith, race or politics. When we know someone personally, we view them as a new friend.  Friends can agree and disagree on issues, however friends also ‘have each others backs and will stand up for each other.’

Simple Example:

The other day I was in the Verizon store getting my cell phone fixed. Another lady walked in and began waiting patiently until “Kris” was finished with my phone.  As time moved on, I began to be uncomfortable knowing she was waiting. I decided to engage her in conversation.

I apologized for taking so long.  She smiled, I smiled, and a connection was made.   She told me she lost her phone.  Immediately in that one statement both Kris and I looked at her in compassion, knowing losing a phone and all its information can be devastating with far reaching scenarios.   All of a sudden I felt connected to her, a complete stranger.  Connection  brings about understanding and compassion.  I am sure once Kris (notice I used his name , not his position) helped her even more once understanding her situation.

A simple reaching out can make all the difference in the world.

Reach out to all  and at least ask them their name.  Knowing a person’s name starts the connection.

In Love and Connection,

Abigail