Intercultural empathy and humility act as bridges to enhance collective potential development and peace.
How much can happen in 4 months? How much could change internally? A lot.
We collaborated with an organization that focuses on healing historical trauma. This was a relatively new subject for me, even though I had some prior knowledge due to undergoing intergenerational therapy myself in Mexico over the summer. This therapy experience prompted me to delve into my family heritage, examine my behavioral patterns, and gain a deeper understanding of my perceptions and emotions. I never thought there would be so much in me that came from there, and I never really thought that some things would hurt me so much and so deeply. My own resistance, my own denial at times of who I am, due to collective narratives, internal and external observers on stereotypes and predefined stories. Such an irony to go through this topic, to talk to such incredible people, in such a diverse group, but so beautiful and so good.
At the beginning of this time, we met, had a chat and drank coffee, shared perspectives, and made agreements. We took the time to get to know each other. We were in the same city and spent some time apart, but we made it work and became friends. We supported each other in difficult times, listened to our own cultural pains, wars, positionalities, oppression, beauty, and pride. I’m certain that we took away more than expected. By combining our skills, we not only shared laughter but also gained a deeper understanding than anticipated.
In my recent trip to Mexico, a mentor told me: “It all comes down to empathy and humility.” Actively listening, breathing, staying silent when needing to learn from others, acknowledging their experiences, and not having to be right, it can be difficult, but it builds. If we put that into practice more and learn to ask ourselves questions, validate each other’s feelings, I believe we could move towards a more collective future. There are many realities, many ways of seeing the world, and many stories. There is no absolute truth, just one single truth. There are different worlds, different observers. Our ancestors were also other observers and their experiences are rooted in our bodies, in our memories, in who we are. Understanding that, we can also know that we speak for many and for ourselves when we articulate words.
Intergenerational and intercultural bridges are constructed through humble understanding, silence, sound, and questions. Doubts and reflections help us enhance our growth towards a more thriving, purposeful future for all. It’s not about winners and losers, but about building stairs that propel us upwards together. We encounter this through the soul, heart, shared knowledge, human dignity, and love.
