Nothing New - Paradox 3.0

Yup – paradox…again! I hate to be redundant, but our world needs to hear this.

I need to listen to this.

And maybe you do, too.

In July 2023 and October 2024, I reflected on the idea of both/and, or paradox: the concept of two opposing ideas being true. To embrace paradox, we must shed binary, either/or thinking and embrace the full spectrum of degrees.

We must embrace a growth mindset. We need to accept each other’s humanity (and our own!), nurture observation without judgment, respond (vs. react) to situations, and ask questions…lots of questions.

The questions are to be asked curiously, to learn more, not to judge.

Remember, we see things through the lens of our experiences. We do not know what another person has gone through. Assumptions can lead to judgmental thoughts before we know what hits us!

The climate in the US and around the world is very unsettling. Institutions- government, religion, etc.- are undergoing turbulent times.

As an avid reader of historical fiction, I have learned quite a bit about history and its cycles. What we are going through has happened before; only the details differ.  As I read these books, I’ve always been amazed at how people always come forward to lead the way through change. People who live the paradox. People who are terrified and courageous. People who experience great tragedy and remain optimistic.

From my corner of the world, I want to live the paradox. I want to positively impact everyone I encounter, friend and stranger, from the ripple effects of a growth mindset.

As you may recall from my previous posts, I have an ampersand hanging in my office. I’ve acquired another one that is on our mantle. Visual cues inspire me, and the physical reminders throughout our home gently prod me to stay in a growth mindset.

Will you join me in embracing the paradox?

Want to dive deeper? Would you be interested in an eight-week group program called Growing Questions that explores the growth mindset and the power of questions? If at least four people express interest, we’ll connect and set up a schedule that accommodates everyone.