The Gift of Klar Kommen

 

A walk through Asheville, NC this gem came into my vision. 

Positive Pensées

 Kathy King

"The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. The first to forget is the happiest."

Unknown

 

The Gift of Klar Kommen

 

Klar Kommen, s’entendre, andare d’accordo, llevarse bien. 

These are all words that convey an idea. 

Sadly, this concept is lost in our world today. 

They simply mean getting along with others with whom we share a space.

A lot of the time, folks sit behind a screen and hurl insults at people that they have never seen. 

It’s easy because that screen is not alive, it does not have feelings or a spirit, which need kindness to thrive. 

So when you see someone or hear an idea, maybe it’s not your first choice for the world in which you live. 

Remember, we are sharing this space, and we all have those souls and spirits that bloom and thrive when it is watered with gentleness and perseverance.  

Let’s get along and show gratitude. Pepper each other with patience and even servitude. 

Let’s begin a klar kommen with renewed purpose each day. 

Let the s’entendre lead the way.  

*This was written last November during election season. This writing came to my mind when I took a moment to read the news in the last few days.  

It is election season again, namely the midterm elections.  Yesterday, when we checked our mail, we had at least 20 political mailings filling our mailbox. Each ad was an attack on the other opponent, one after another.  Not one positive mention was to be made in any mailing. Whatever happened to the concept of statesmanship?  The idea that one can reach across the aisle even when it is hard for the greater good of the community The concept of "we are all in this together" We’ve heard it said a lot that social media and even the news help people stay in their echo chambers of their belief systems with little to no interaction with those who have a different point of view. As a result, complete vitriol is spewed online between complete strangers. Sometimes, out of curiosity, I will click on the comments section of a social media post, and just about every time I have instant regret. Even on the most mundane of posts, folks will chime in with cruel remarks. I wonder if this person typing these remarks was standing in front of a flesh-and-blood human, would they dare say it to their face? With some rare exceptions, we can probably deduce that no, they would not say those awful things. It is as if the three B’s rule the day, barbarous, brutal, and barbaric. Did you know that the late Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsberg were very close friends? Some even referred to them as best friends. They often spent New Year’s Eve together, they had a shared love of opera, travel, and food. They traveled with their families together for many years. They were on completely opposite sides of the political spectrum; they often disagreed heatedly on major issues, yet through all of the marked differences, they still found a way to be friends. When Justice Scalia was asked what he liked about Ginsberg, he replied, "What’s not to like, except her opinions on the law!" Even in their disagreement, he made light of the situation. Their conversations were noted to be spirited but fair. What if we started a movement of spirited but fair debate? There is often an idea that is put forth about travel.  It is said to broaden the mind. This concept bleeds over into seeking out others with a completely different mindset than yours. This broadens both your mind and theirs because you are intentionally seeking out concepts and ideas that are different from yours. Do you have to agree? No, you don’t. But, you can respectfully yet spiritedly talk about your point of view while conversely listening to their point of view respectfully as well. We were having our car serviced recently, and while waiting in the waiting room, we were a captive audience to a somewhat popular news and commentary show. There was a panel that was put in place to discuss the current political situation. This talk started out civil but devolved into a shouting match to see who could yell their idea the loudest and then slander each other. As I was perusing the people in the room, no one was even paying attention, but I did see one person lift their head and shake it with a look of disbelief on their face. You know why? This is not what any of us want or need in our lives.  Let us return to the world some andare d'accordio.One of the sincerest forms of respect is to listen. After all, we have two ears in which to listen and only one mouth to respond.  I will leave you all with this unknown quote I read earlier. "Be genuine. Listen without interrupting.  Support without pretending. Share without hesitation. Speak without reward." Llverse bien.  

 

Source:Usatoday.com