As many of you know, I live just outside of Charlotte and teach at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The last week has been so incredibly heartbreaking. As we navigate forward, I’m reminded of this Barbara Kingsolver quote and of my hopes:
I hope for a world where every single one of us knows how worthy we are and that we understand that our worthiness does not trump anyone else’s worthiness.
I hope for a world where we no longer fear what acknowledging another’s worth will do to our own because we understand that it does not diminish us.
A world where every single one of our lives is equally valued and protected and respected.
A world where we don’t feel inclined to just dismiss or ignore a differing point of view simply because we cannot get our heads around extending that person some grace.
A world where we turn our volume down and our reception up.
I hope for a world where we have the courage to truthfully acknowledge what causes our tragedies, even in our discomfort, where we respect that we all experience life differently.
Where we show up, over and over again with and for our stories that have complex underbellies.
Where we say, “I want to understand” and “you are worthy” effortlessly and with meaning.
Where we show up for one another in whole new ways. If we can do that, we heal the fractures. Together, I believe we can do this.
