Our religious communities — to say nothing of our schools...could make a vital contribution to democracy by teaching and practicing five habits of the heart on which so much depends:
1. An understanding that we are all in this together.
2. An appreciation of the value of "otherness."
3. An ability to hold tension in life-giving ways.
4. A sense of personal voice and agency.
5. A capacity to create community...
If I were asked for two words to summarize these habits of the heart citizens need to help democracy survive and thrive, I'd choose chutzpah and humility.
By chutzpah, I mean knowing that I have a voice that needs to be heard and the right to speak it. By humility, I mean accepting the fact that my truth is always partial...so I need to listen with openness and respect, especially to "the other."
Parker Palmer
1. An understanding that we are all in this together.
2. An appreciation of the value of "otherness."
3. An ability to hold tension in life-giving ways.
4. A sense of personal voice and agency.
5. A capacity to create community...
If I were asked for two words to summarize these habits of the heart citizens need to help democracy survive and thrive, I'd choose chutzpah and humility.
By chutzpah, I mean knowing that I have a voice that needs to be heard and the right to speak it. By humility, I mean accepting the fact that my truth is always partial...so I need to listen with openness and respect, especially to "the other."
Parker Palmer
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