Mindfulness, Tolerance & Why I Do This

My father taught me that we can disagree and still be friends. I keep coming back to that. Especially when a conversation turns into a contest to see who can shout the loudest.

I care about what happens to our families, our communities and this spinning blue ball we call home. I have strong opinions about war, concentrated wealth and the way we treat the land. Kindness does not require me to put those opinions away. It asks me to remember that there is a person on the other side of the conversation.

Pay attention before answering

Mindfulness, for me, starts with noticing what I am doing. Am I listening, or just waiting to unload my next point? Am I trying to understand someone, or trying to win?

A pause gives me a chance to choose my response. Sometimes that means asking another question. Sometimes it means putting the phone down and giving the conversation a little air.

Keep the person in view

The Dalai Lama’s teaching on compassion matters to me because it brings the work back to how we treat one another. Respect has to hold up when agreement runs out.

I can challenge an idea, question a decision or speak against something I believe is wrong without treating another person as disposable. I will not get that right every time. I can keep working at it.

Put the values to work

I believe too much power sits with too few people. I also believe we have choices in how we spend, what we support and how we show up for our neighbors. Those choices deserve our attention.

The same goes for my work. Listen carefully. Say what I mean. Be honest about what I can do. Treat people’s time and trust with care.

That is the kind of life and business I want to build here in Tahoe. There is room for strong opinions, a good laugh and a little more patience with each other.

Stay’nThirsty
Coop