Editor’s note: This is the second part of of a Local 20/20 Resilience Review piece about finding and doing “the right thing.”

One place to start is to look to find the common ground that we share with people who are not like us.

We are living in extremely challenging times. There is a palpable sense of the growing tendency to “otherize,” to draw lines between “us” and “them.” People are afraid to mention politics at all, given the divisive nature of current rhetoric. Most find it easier to get mad than to show our felt vulnerability, caring, and empathy that actually lies right below the surface.

Could we relax the sense of stressful polarities and find what we share in common? Nurture where we connect? It is up to you and me, and time being short, it is time to act.

What can we possibly do that will make a difference? How will we come together to repair the damage being done to our hearts and minds in the midst of living with such loss, everyday. We all know loss. Perhaps we’d be better off if we chose, and offered, intentional kindness, instead.

In her poem “Kindness,” Naomi Shihab Nye says:

Before you know what kindness really is

you must lose things.

Before you know kindness

as the deepest thing inside,

you must know sorrow

as the other deepest thing.

You must wake up with sorrow.

You must speak to it till your voice

catches the thread of all sorrows

and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness

that makes sense anymore,

only kindness that ties your shoes

and sends you out into the day

to mail letters and purchase bread,

only kindness that raises its head

from the crowd of the world to say

it is I you have been looking for,

and then goes with you everywhere

like a shadow, or a friend.”

(See the full poem at: https//poets.org/poem/kindness)

The tender parts of ourselves naturally connect us. It is our vulnerability that provides the bond, that builds the bridge. It is our broken hearts that illuminate our way. We need to provide each other the safety to risk sharing from that place. Listen more. Judge less.

From its beginning in 2006, L20/20 has sought with its various projects to bring people together for common cause. A network of neighborhood-based community gardens where people grow food with-and-for each other began in 2007. Neighborhoods were encouraged to organize for emergency preparedness, together. Partnerships with all manner of other groups, organizations, and government bodies, were forged, and continue to, to work together for the common good. The Action Groups work on difficult issues, such as climate change, reducing our waste stream, learning to speak to each other with non-violent communication skills, and much, much more. People find hope and solace in their efforts together. Tolerance and acceptance are learned, and practiced. Our activism is our salve.

Opportunities to find common ground abound. Mostly what it takes is intention. First, recognize that you do care. Turn away from hostility and listen to your heart. What is it asking of you? Perhaps it is whispering to you about doing the “right thing.” Please engage and join us! Your heart is needed.

Judith Alexander, MSW

(One of the founders of Local 20/20, Alexander is a clinical social worker with a home-based part time private counseling practice. Her work within Local 20/20 has been primarily focused on strengthening our local food system.  Learn about all the Action Groups at www.L2020.org.)