What are you going through?

“The love of our neighbor in all its fullness simply means being able to say to him: “What are you going through?” – Simone Weil

And then we listen.

Brenda H. and I did this. We aren’t neighbors in the next door sense. She’s from Texas and I’m from Massachusetts. We locate ourselves on opposite ends of the political spectrum. The two of us had a conversation facilitated by StoryCorp’s One Small Step. Brenda loves: empowering others; her husband of 30 years; and, Jesus. I love: making people laugh; my wife of 22 years; and the Golden Rule. 

The guidelines forbid you from talking about politics, but encourage you to venture into uncomfortable territory. Brenda and I talked and listened for 50 minutes non-stop. Then we emailed the next day, and snail-mailed after that. 

I love Brenda. And that gives me such hope. 

I encourage you to adventure into uncomfortable territory. I’m having a hard time remembering when it wasn’t worth it.