Art: The Way It Goes - Gillian Welch
This song is about things that go wrong in the lives of people, which you could argue isn’t beautiful at all. But, the song is quite happy in terms of music. And so this signals that there is beauty to be found in the suffering of life, and that beauty is most likely partly found both in sharing and overcoming this suffering.
In my opinion, acknowledging the suffering is more beautiful than trying to sweep in under the rug, because that will cause people to silently be destroyed by their suffering with a smile on their face. Accept, or perhaps even embrace it.
Quote: Anatomy of Peace
“When you begin to see others as people … issues related to race, ethnicity, religion and so on begin to look and feel different. You end up seeing people who have hopes, dreams, fears, and even justifications that resemble your own.”
What do you think when you read this?
Video: Former Opposites Coming Together
In this video, you can see Jordan & Mikhaila Peterson speak with Africa Brooke. The beauty of this conversation is that Brooke explains her journey from hatred for Jordan, to love, or appreciation or however you wish to call it.
The reason why I decided to include this in the newsletter is because it shows that you can bridge the gap of political division by listening to the other as they really are, instead of listening to them as the image of them you have in your head.
It cannot be possible that all people of the political side you oppose truly want something that is bad. And so the common ground you can find is that you would wish for things to be better, but you disagree on how to get there.
The best quotes from the interview are:
“…and it’s almost like I wasn’t even listening to what you were saying. I had already decided that I don’t like this man, because someone that I trust has told me that I shouldn’t like him.” (Brooke)
“Maybe your stupid opinions aren’t right. They’re probably not right. Are you so sure your life is going so much the way you want it to go, and you’re such a bloody paragon of virtue, and the light is shining out every orifice, that everything you think and say is correct, and everyone who disabuses you of your notions is evil?” (Peterson, obviously haha)
“In the beginning I could notice myself listening to you, and finding, waiting for a moment where I could say “Aha, see, see!?” I knew I was right, and you know what? I waited…that moment never came. That moment never came.” (Brooke)
“I finally allowed myself to be curious again.” (Brooke)
Bonus: My Remarkably Funny Tweet
I tweeted something the other day that I found to be rather funny. It went entirely unnoticed. Great. But, I do think there is some truth in it, and that its message can allow us to spread and inspire beauty in this world, so I’ll share it here too.
Thank you for listening / reading / watching. Let’s all spread some beauty sometimes. It seems necessary.