"At A Crossroad" Listening Circle, October 2020

​2020 gave you time to think and imagine; to focus on health, on breathing. On not being able to breathe...The future depends on our imagination and determination now more than ever; What shall we manifest now that doors are opening? How will you breathe free?
October 30, 2020 Reflections on Learning (by julia)
We asked, "Why come tonight?" We crave people outside of work, the casualness and complexity of the proverbial theater lobby. We've been learning new things and listening is one that invited learning. As we seek knowledge from returning to school to watching documentaries, we find that our boundaries now come into play. Who has been able to define reality in the Scientific Age? What is valued learning and what is not? Intuition is valid. Sometimes, this intuition says it's time to mourn. The loss! 
We learn about self, through grace of time now available, leading to the ability to process intergenerational pain. In that learning of pain and now healing, we find ourselves facing new boundaries. Boundaries (restrictions) around our relationship with time, with even our own identity. Who tells us who we are now that I know the truth? I know who I am. I am learning.
 Yet, "I'd rather be right than loving." First, shocking because we as loving beings are expected to chose peace over justice. Every time. Yet, in this new truth of self, of world, I too would rather be right. Kendrick Lamar: "I'd rather you trust me than to love me." When too many boundaries crossed, we owe nothing; we give nothing of our sense of self without consent. 
But how? How to be strong, how to be right without the sting? Without becoming that which I despise? How do we exemplify what, "telling the truth is a form of love," could mean. The means are the end, no good fruit comes from a poison tree. We show them power and grace. I have the privilege of sharing here, things I missed saying: I have two responsibilities (among many): To love myself and tell the truth. 
We left The Crossroad with the expectation of battle and comforted with the shoulders of each other empowered. We figuring out this Great Game and we chose instead humanity. Crossroad.