The vulnerability to fearing difference and change puts humans on a collision course with the absolute fact that change is inevitable. 

“The challenge is discerning what truth is, because truth is easily skewed by perspective, and perspective isn’t simple.”

Read the October 7th edition of the Intersections: The ILI Newsletter.

…faced with fear, or saturated with certainty, self-righteousness or rage, anyone is vulnerable to the temptation to dehumanize. Read the most recent issue of Intersections: The ILI Newsletter.

There is just no more time for rigid thinking and self-self-righteousness. We will only see the backside of this moment if we do things differently.

To change the course of history will require a historic stepping up. . It will require resilience, and no small amount of courage and creativity -- and will

If I hadn’t moved in across the street; if I hadn’t sat in that circle; if I hadn’t traded business cards at a writing workshop, I’d still have no idea. And my life and work would be vastly different than it is today – less rich, less full of possibility.

I suspect those arguments that feel like battles happen because the arguers are afraid, or enraged, or heartbroken – or all three.

With few exceptions, no one is powerless; everyone has a circle of action. The only question is how to use it.

Szabi insisted on the possibility of a more just world, and at the same time unstintingly facing its ongoing violence and injustice. He held those two realities with equally insistent grace.

If I close my eyes I can see that river. I can also see boats on fire. I don’t have to choose, I mustn’t choose, between tending the river and the fire.

Some of the best work for a more equitable and less violent world is in relationships.

I’ve been reminded this week: I can start (again and again) with myself.

When questions spark fear, it feels like trouble. When questions are forbidden on pain of punishment, we’re in trouble.

A story of deep breaths is as good a reason to think differently as I have ever heard.

Resisting the impulse to dismiss complexity is very, very hard, most of the time. So it’s a practice; I’ll keep trying and failing and trying again, but it’s a critical practice.

The reason it’s dangerous to focus so much on politics, laws and policies as the most important leverage points for change is that they are not enough.