Oh my, '... stay rooted in truth without becoming the sword'. ... Will have to ponder those metaphors, How is a dam like domination? The messy undergrowth nourishes life. Such wisdom. Thank you.
Thank-you so much for this! You continue to inspire me with your willingness to listen and be present with others, even when they represent a completely different point of view. I think what was most powerful was when you took a breath. For in that pause, you could respond out of love. And that is difficult to do; yet we are all called to do so, even in the face of such adversity.
I am in awe as I read this conversation you so beautifully described. The engagement of a stanger with honesty and truth and compassion is a beautiful thing and I hope he ponders your words. Thank you for this and all your meditations.
I’ll add my voice to the chorus, Cameron, thank you for this deeply touching and profoundly real story. Meeting hardness with love, certainty with softness, holding your ground without animosity. What a teaching and what an example of what is possible in presence. This creates for me an aspirational gap to live into.
Thank you so much for this wonderful message! I don't know how you can be both patient and kind as well as making your important points! I would have walked away or gotten nasty. You give us a wonderful model to try to follow. I could not have done it, but it's inspirational!
You planted a seed. That's all this situation requires. Someday, somehow, probably when he least expects it, he'll realize that your seed has taken root. And you will have changed the world.
Hi. I have been following your posts for about 4 months and I have found them to be inspirational and sometimes what I've been thinking - but you have the most beautiful way of putting those thoughts into words. I am a clinical social worker - serving as a case worker before that. I have lived in Wyoming for 43 years. My first thought reading your post was "that person doesn't understand what you're saying - doesn't have a clue." I am wondering if you felt he was truly listening and "getting" what you were so beautifully expressing. And, by the way, your presence must have empowered him to sit next to you and share his feelings. What a gift. I'm guessing you were glowing - especially after your Wyoming retreat and he was drawn to your energy! Wyoming, God and your wisdom - that's a powerful combination. Thank you for what you do.
beautiful, Cameron. Listening for what is in the other person's heart allows us the compassion to create our relatedness, and the space to connect and discover and grow.
What strikes me is the willingness/ courage to have a differing conversation. To open the door to understanding and compassion. Your exploration helped me have compassion for the those who have differing views -to see the deep Desire to go back to the way things used to be. I Appreciate your courage and open heart
I continue to be so impressed by how you can and choose to be in conversation with those who believe so differently. I want to lean more about how to do that - practice it! Any workshop on that?
Oh my, '... stay rooted in truth without becoming the sword'. ... Will have to ponder those metaphors, How is a dam like domination? The messy undergrowth nourishes life. Such wisdom. Thank you.
Thank-you so much for this! You continue to inspire me with your willingness to listen and be present with others, even when they represent a completely different point of view. I think what was most powerful was when you took a breath. For in that pause, you could respond out of love. And that is difficult to do; yet we are all called to do so, even in the face of such adversity.
This story is a valuable sermon
I was thinking of citing and using as a sermon basis!
I hope he gave what you said to him some thought afterwards. Who knows? Where there's life there is hope.
Beautifully profound example of how to listen and hear what is behind the words, and then to respond with pastoral kindness and truth.
I am in awe as I read this conversation you so beautifully described. The engagement of a stanger with honesty and truth and compassion is a beautiful thing and I hope he ponders your words. Thank you for this and all your meditations.
Nice example of modeling--being a presence--of grave and power.
I’ll add my voice to the chorus, Cameron, thank you for this deeply touching and profoundly real story. Meeting hardness with love, certainty with softness, holding your ground without animosity. What a teaching and what an example of what is possible in presence. This creates for me an aspirational gap to live into.
Beautiful, bold, brave.
Presence… pure presence 💫
Thank you so much for this wonderful message! I don't know how you can be both patient and kind as well as making your important points! I would have walked away or gotten nasty. You give us a wonderful model to try to follow. I could not have done it, but it's inspirational!
You planted a seed. That's all this situation requires. Someday, somehow, probably when he least expects it, he'll realize that your seed has taken root. And you will have changed the world.
Hi. I have been following your posts for about 4 months and I have found them to be inspirational and sometimes what I've been thinking - but you have the most beautiful way of putting those thoughts into words. I am a clinical social worker - serving as a case worker before that. I have lived in Wyoming for 43 years. My first thought reading your post was "that person doesn't understand what you're saying - doesn't have a clue." I am wondering if you felt he was truly listening and "getting" what you were so beautifully expressing. And, by the way, your presence must have empowered him to sit next to you and share his feelings. What a gift. I'm guessing you were glowing - especially after your Wyoming retreat and he was drawn to your energy! Wyoming, God and your wisdom - that's a powerful combination. Thank you for what you do.
beautiful, Cameron. Listening for what is in the other person's heart allows us the compassion to create our relatedness, and the space to connect and discover and grow.
What strikes me is the willingness/ courage to have a differing conversation. To open the door to understanding and compassion. Your exploration helped me have compassion for the those who have differing views -to see the deep Desire to go back to the way things used to be. I Appreciate your courage and open heart
I continue to be so impressed by how you can and choose to be in conversation with those who believe so differently. I want to lean more about how to do that - practice it! Any workshop on that?