All We Really Need to Know to Get Along in Central Oregon We Learned in Kindergarten
“It doesn’t matter what you say you believe - it only matters what you do.”
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
The past couple years have been tumultuous and divisive in Central Oregon. The causes are many: a pandemic and the policies that came with it, protests and counter-protests, unaffordable housing, and now, high prices for almost everything else. We’ve been through a lot together, and I’ve often reflected on Robert Fulghum’s book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things. That book’s simple, but valuable life lessons are more relevant now than ever. Here’s a handful:
Share Everything. Central Oregonians have been remarkably generous during this difficult time. Our generosity as a region is one of our greatest strengths. We’ll need more of it, lots more in the challenging economic times ahead.
― Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
The past couple years have been tumultuous and divisive in Central Oregon. The causes are many: a pandemic and the policies that came with it, protests and counter-protests, unaffordable housing, and now, high prices for almost everything else. We’ve been through a lot together, and I’ve often reflected on Robert Fulghum’s book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things. That book’s simple, but valuable life lessons are more relevant now than ever. Here’s a handful:
Share Everything. Central Oregonians have been remarkably generous during this difficult time. Our generosity as a region is one of our greatest strengths. We’ll need more of it, lots more in the challenging economic times ahead.
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Play Fair. Playing fair is essential, but often subjective. Listening to others and honoring their perspectives is a great start. It doesn’t mean we’ll always agree on what is fair, equitable or even right. But when we expect the best, give people the benefit of the doubt and carefully listen, we grow in our understanding and strengthen our relationships.
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When we expect the best, give people the benefit of the doubt and carefully listen, we grow in our understanding and strengthen our relationships. |
Don’t Hit People. Violence solves nothing. It seems Central Oregon has become more abusive in recent years – not just physically, but also verbally. Not just in person, but online. Taking mean swings at our neighbors would have been unacceptable ten years ago. Let’s bring back civility and a sense of mutual respect.
Clean up Your Own Mess. We’ve all been part of some relational messes over the last couple years. We need to begin cleaning up those messes by acknowledging the mess and then doing what we can to repair it.
When You Hurt Someone, Say You’re Sorry. Often, cleaning up messes requires apologizing. It also means being willing to forgive…letting go of offenses and not holding onto grudges. Showing up to the “playground” perpetually aggrieved is tiresome for all.
Wash Your Hands Before You Eat. Thanks to COVID, we’ve all gotten good at washing our hands, haven’t we?
It doesn’t matter what you say you believe – it only matters what you do. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what we believe, what others believe or what we think others believe because of their political party, their church, the way they look, the car they drive or the clothes they wear. But if you look at what people actually do on a daily basis, we’re not all that different.
We have more in common than not. We work a little, play a little, raise our families and seek to live a good life. We all love Central Oregon. Let’s take a lesson from kindergarten, re-build friendships, play nice and make our region better. Together.
Clean up Your Own Mess. We’ve all been part of some relational messes over the last couple years. We need to begin cleaning up those messes by acknowledging the mess and then doing what we can to repair it.
When You Hurt Someone, Say You’re Sorry. Often, cleaning up messes requires apologizing. It also means being willing to forgive…letting go of offenses and not holding onto grudges. Showing up to the “playground” perpetually aggrieved is tiresome for all.
Wash Your Hands Before You Eat. Thanks to COVID, we’ve all gotten good at washing our hands, haven’t we?
It doesn’t matter what you say you believe – it only matters what you do. It’s easy to get wrapped up in what we believe, what others believe or what we think others believe because of their political party, their church, the way they look, the car they drive or the clothes they wear. But if you look at what people actually do on a daily basis, we’re not all that different.
We have more in common than not. We work a little, play a little, raise our families and seek to live a good life. We all love Central Oregon. Let’s take a lesson from kindergarten, re-build friendships, play nice and make our region better. Together.
