PinnedNeighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(e), The Terms-Social and Cultural Norms“Unity, not uniformity, must be our aim. We attain unity only through variety. Differences must be integrated, not annihilated, not absorbed.” — Mary Parker Follett Definition Cultural norms are referenced throughout this book, though sometimes I refer to them as social norms. Either way, I mean relatively the same thing…Neighbors12 min readNeighbors12 min read
PinnedNeighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(a), The Terms- Introduction“There’s a phrase in Zen Buddhism that comes from a koan which is: not knowing is most intimate… When we don’t know something and when we can sit in that state of not knowing is when there’s a kind of an intimacy with the world around us…this is another iteration…Neighbors6 min readNeighbors6 min read
PinnedNeighbor, a Handbook: IntroductionWords, Their Power, and Love Sometimes all we have is the ability to love. Always, the best thing we have is the ability to love. I believe in love. This is corny. I own that. It’s perhaps Pollyanna. I own that, too. My belief in love’s power and that there’s…Peace17 min readPeace17 min read
PinnedCovenantAmy E Payne When I began this piece, the seasons were changing, and summer was on her way to the other side of the world. Each morning, I heard the geese fly above my roof in larger and larger numbers, readying themselves to head south in the face of winter’s…Abortion43 min readAbortion43 min read
2 days agoNeighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(f), The Terms-Privilege“Being privileged doesn’t mean that you are always wrong and people without privilege are always right. It means that there is a good chance you are missing a few very important pieces of the puzzle.” — Ijeoma Oluo Traditional Definition When I was young, the word privilege often meant a…Neighbors31 min readNeighbors31 min read
Jan 9Neighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(d), The Terms-Race“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” — Jacqueline Woodson Race definition Let’s start with a definition and some examples of what race means today. A definition of race from Miriam Webster (1): 1a : any one…Neighbors19 min readNeighbors19 min read
Dec 16, 2022Neighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(c), The Terms- Politically Correct“Language can be used as a weapon if we choose to wield it that way. It can also be used to build bridges, heal wounds, and tell stories through which we cultivate common ground.” — Beth Russell, Managing Editor CALYX Press Politically correct/political correctness/PC This family of words is perhaps…Neighbors21 min readNeighbors21 min read
Dec 5, 2022Neighbor, A Handbook: Part 2(b), The Terms- Weaponize and Intent vs. Impact“War is over If you want it War is over now” — John Lennon Tool, Weapon, Weaponize Though the concept of weaponizing language is current, the words tool and weapon are neither modern nor hot. Just the same, all three are absolutely critical to how each of us make use…Neighbors14 min readNeighbors14 min read
Nov 22, 2022Neighbor, A Handbook: 12 Courage“Undivided” (click here to hear one of my favorite line dancing songs by Tim McGraw) You see, Billy got picked on at school For things he couldn’t change He tried his best to play it cool But in the seventh grade You either fit right in or you don’t fit That’s just the cold hard…Neighbors8 min readNeighbors8 min read
Nov 16, 2022Neighbor, A Handbook: 11 Listening and Asking“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” — Heraclitus, Greek philospher, 6th c. B.C. Being a Neighbor means truly seeing one another as equally human and deserving of respect and Love. When people are different from…Neighbors22 min readNeighbors22 min read
