Sensitivity Training – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Recently I was in a conversation with someone for whom I care deeply.  She was relating how she felt about the actions of a friend.  It was in her relation of this that I saw how offended she was concerning actions to which she was not a party.  My friend was upset because she had taken up an offense from a situation in which she was not involved.  

It is good that she cares for her friend.  It is vital that she engaged and listened.  There is even room for the outrage she feels at the situation.  I do, however, believe that we need a non-permeable barrier when it comes to the level to which we engage in the offenses of others.  I cannot know the entire situation from one person’s telling of the tale.  A one sided account does not give a clear view of the matter.

This gets to the entire matter of how I feel about the lives of others.  I must engage others with my feelings but not take up offences.  I must be honest about what I think is good and right without being judgmental.  I must resist what is wrong with condemning anyone else.  

One of the things that can facilitate this is a clear barrier between how I feel about issues and how I feel about people.  We hear the old saw of “hate the sin and not the sinner.”  I think it is true but not that simple.  That non-permeable barrier I mentioned has to be vigilantly maintained if it is to function.   

This barrier must be built by constructing it between the good and bad aspects in interacting with the lives of others.  I will focus on this for a few days.   I think it will enhance the perception of my life as one that is committed to loving others and giving all that I can to show that love.  I have to engage without getting caught up in the thing.  I have to listen with my feelings and really understand.  Please walk with me Dear Reader.  I value your observations and questions.

Good Man – Burlap to Cashmere

He was walking down the highway

And you saw him straggling along

And you reached out

Opened up your door

And you gave him a ride

To your heavenly home

God his mother, she won't listen

And his father hated his old man

But you listened to his feelings

And your eyes consistently understand

Yes, your eyes consistently understand

He was a good man

He lived a good life

He was a good man

He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

Well, you see him with his guitar

Down the highway, he would walk along

Singin' old songs, singin' Sunday blues

But his school bells were his only song

Yes his school bells were his only song

Through the fire, through the lying sun

Through the smoke and fog

Through the day that's done

There was strength there

There was hope alive

There were strings of peace

From the other side

There were strings of peace

From the other side

He was a good man

He lived a good life

He was a good man

He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

Don't you see he's falling away

Thank God for the love that you gave

Only love can put out a fire

And only love was calling him

Higher and higher

He was a good man

He lived a good life

He was a good man

He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

He was a good man

He lived a good life

He was a good man

He lived a good life

And you were right there, for the hard times

You were there again and again

Again and again, again and again

He was walking

Down the highway

Give him a ride to your heavenly home

Give him the ride to your heavenly home

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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