Whew, election week is wrapping up, so hopefully, we can look forward to less hostile rhetoric about over-simplified issues. Because the truth is, no matter what the media, in all of its toxic forms, tells us, issues are not black and white. Almost every person, every issue, every problem, holds paradox.
We have a strong tendency to shove aspects of our lives into clearly defined spaces. Things are wrong or right. People are good or bad. Social media and the press, in their mad desire to attract and keep our attention, don’t want to make the time or space to discuss the intricacies and complications of issues.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. We can decide to embrace paradox, to hold conflicting facts and opinions at the same time.
Instead of approaching life from an “either/or” and “this or that” mentality, imagine what could happen if we all did a better job of thinking, “yes, but” or “not only, but also”, or “what if?” I’m guessing if we spent less time categorizing and more time exercising curiosity, this world would be a happier, more peaceful, more accepting place.
I’m super into the Kelly Corrigan Wonders podcast these days. Kelly is tackling issues like this, searching for ways to be better and explore “what could be.” In one of her recent episodes, she interviewed Dr. Clara Oropeza, an English professor at Santa Barbara City College, to talk about the value of critical thinking that is attained through reading literature. It’s part of her “Live from College” series in which she is traveling to campuses around the country to figure out the value of a liberal arts education.
Toward the end of the interview, as the two women discussed the value of being able to embrace complicated, paradoxical issues, Dr. Oropeza quoted the writer Maxine Hong Kingston (author of The Woman Warrior.)
I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for paradoxes.
Maxine Hong Kingston
Wow. Isn’t that fantastic?
Have a great weekend everyone, and may you learn to make your mind large and allow room for paradox.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
