Whenever we experience a moment of clarity that allows us to discern reality beyond the distractions of the moment, it’s natural that we want to help others see what we see.
In fact, this desire to share truth can be urgent and that can lead us into trouble.
If we become overly insistent that others acknowledge and agree with what we’re trying to share, we can become intellectual bullies by demanding they admit that we’re right.
It’s easy to forget that stable human beings rarely change all at once.
We tend to grow and change in steps.
This is why people who lean toward totalitarian behavior tend to embrace strong-arm tactics and force to make others do what they want.
If we’re sincere about helping others see something of value, we have to take a higher road.
This means speaking the truth with kindness in order to plant seeds and then allowing those seeds to grow and develop over time.
It means being willing to be misunderstood or shouted down without responding with anger.
It’s a long term process. It may take years of gentle persistence.
But when those seeds finally sprout and someone recognizes what you’ve been offering, they’ll have chosen it on their own, without being forced.
And that is the stuff of authentic improvement.
As Paul Rosenberg puts it:
“We have to let go of our demands for instant progress and latch on to the beauty of slow but real change.”
It’s a marathon not a sprint.
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