An Imperfect Union

Isn't it amazing that all of us share this same planet, possess so many similar traits and characteristics, have many of the same needs and desires, yet spend so much of our time not getting along? We seem to devote untold amounts of energy and time trying to get others to understand us or else trying to figure out what others are hiding from us. And if all that isn't enough, we then seem to round out many of our days by figuring out ways to re-explain ourselves just to erase any doubt we might have that people are confused about where we are coming from. What's that all about? What does that say about us? Are we human beings really that much of an insecure mess? It sure does seem so.

Given all that we do, in fact, have in common, one would think every person on this planet of ours would absolutely overflow with understanding and empathy for everyone else. Yet, day in and day out, it seems all we see or hear and read about is conflict, conflict, and more conflict. Family members are butting heads. Congressmen are calling each other names. Media commentators seem to consistently lambaste the actions of public officials of all persuasions. Countries even take up arms against each other. One thing seems to be for sure: the human race may be dealing with shortages of water or food or shelter, but it sure has a wealth of misunderstanding. And that so-called resource seems to be growing by the day.

Looking at all this, however, my theory is that all of us actually do overflow with understanding of our fellow men and women. All the fretting and arguing we do and see around us is not due to a lack of understanding of others. What keeps us from living in a more collegial, cooperative and even peaceful manner are two things: we do not do a good job of letting others know that we do understand them; and we seem to view other perspectives as conflicting with ours as opposed to being mere extensions or off-shoots of thoughts hopes and wishes we have. Fundamentally, I see all of us wanting many of the same things out of life than not. Yet instead of devoting ourselves to communicating that message each day and then seeking ways to build on it, we focus on "talking points" that do little else but create pointless friction. It is not that we are inadequate communicators. Rather, we seem to be communicating the wrong things. That, as much as anything, is the real tragedy of the human race.