In a recent episode of Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations, she featured Pastor John Gray. This is what he had to say about a concept he refers to as the bridge, a figurative meeting in the middle for people who are on opposite sites of ideology or experience:
“When I think about the bridge, I think about what I must do,to connect and engage people who didn’t come from where I came from so that we can have a place of commonality and understanding. In our society, shame has permeated the culture. If you don’t believe what I believe, then shame on you and if you don’t like what I like, then shame on you. Shame has permeated the culture. The bridge says, I don’t understand you, I don’t agree with you, and we may never see eye to eye, but if we are all in the same space at least we can begin the dialogue and conversation that may lead to healing.”
He goes on to say “If you want people to see life from your lens, you need to become relational, relate-able and relevant. And then you’re going to have to do two other things that are intentional and uncomfortable. Because if you’re going to build bridges, your going to have to connect to people who don’t look like you. Come meet me on the bridge, I don’t care where you’re from.”
His message was one of being open to the experience of others, to be flexible in your thinking, to lead with love.
He was also very funny; laugh-out-loud funny. His podcast is worth listening to: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/own/oprahs-supersoul-conversations/e/62565212
Photo credit: http://Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
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in todays world we need to be open and watch and listen to other cultures to learn. the more we learn, the more we relate/understand
Couldn’t have said it better myself! 🙂 Thanks Brian!