Fourth of July Dialectics

Cause my dry bones to live and breath life into my soul.  Awaken my senses; fill me with wonder, may I speak with Spirit.  Ezekiel 37:13

I've been thinking about dialectics a lot lately-the true sign of a DBT nerd! (Dialectical Behavior Therapy). Dialectics refers to the idea that two different things can be true at the same time.  For instance, we can experience two different feelings at the same time. You can recognize a dialectic when someone as a "both and," instead of "but."  I talked about dialectics yesterday in my peer support wellness group and how they help me. One of the themes we talked about was keeping on going, no matter what.  Dialectics can help when feeling discouraged.  An example: "I feel like giving up And I know I can keep on going."  Here is the slide I used to explain:

I can feel love for my family and hate white supremacist ancestors. 

I can love the city of Atlanta and detest gentrification. 

I can love my country because it is my home and also know that my country commits evils. 

When I look back at history, I can see that evil has always been among us, and yet I can claim to follow Love. 

I can acknowledge that I am a part of a White Supremacist nation and yet I can commit to being as anti-racist as I possibly can. 

I can acknowledge that I will make racist, defensive statements sometimes, and I can take those moments as learning opportunities instead of wallowing in my emotions.

I can acknowledge the deep sadness I feel on this Fourth of July and yet I can also acknowledge my joy in being alive and being a part of the solution.   

I can acknowledge my feelings of anger and participate in a prayer protest walk in Kirkwood tomorrow and yet also host a little celebration tomorrow night with my roommate-we will roast marshmallows in my new fire pit!

 I can hate the actions of many past and present leaders and yet still feel immense pride for the many change makers that have and are working for good.