Love is the greatest

Over the last decade my views on nearly everything have shifted.

If I go back further, to my teens, just about every perspective I have on the world is different.

We should change.

As new information comes in, as we experience life, we have the chance to improve and grow.

I've grown up with people from all walks of life. And, by and far, they've all been wonderful, kind, compassionate members of our world.

I've seen their humanity. They've touched my heart at points along my journey.

Though I've changed a lot, looking back I can see that I was always sincere. I was trying my best—even though current me disagrees with so many things I believed in the past.¹

If that's you, a person who holds views similar to what I held—I care for you as a person, a human, a brother or sister. I don't dehumanize you, I don't see you as less human.

I've had many amazing conversations with people who are completely opposite from me.

These conversations weren't amazing because we agreed. The conversations were great because I connected with another human on a deeper level, to see where they were coming from, what mattered to them, and why they landed on an issue differently.

We need to hold conflicting views in our minds. We need to see how different sides line up and how opposing perspectives—though they can't possibly agree with each other—are important to see and feel. They help us build empathy.

If I take any view, it's important for me to understand why someone else might hold an opposing view—not because I need to change my mind (I'm open to it of course, I've changed my mind many times) but because I want to understand this other person, to see their fears and hopes, and come alongside them as a fellow human.

When we choose to be kind to someone, regardless of their point of view, we open up the opportunity for them to move a little in their own perspectives. We show them that they matter, even if we disagree with them.

I want to grow and learn and build friendships with everyone.

When I was exiting my teens I was struggling with where to go on some points related to religion, and taking a view that I'd now see as extreme. A friend reached out to me, called me up on the phone, and challenged my views. He was kind, he was caring, and his gentle, but firm, pushback gave me reason to pause.

I remember that phone call and where I was sitting.

It was hard to hear, and I disagreed with him in the moment, but that call set me on a different path, and I'll always be thankful to him for it.

He saw me, realized where I was headed, and took the time to reach out. He humanized me and connected with me as a friend. He didn't have to do, but I'm thankful that he did.

It's good to have different perspectives, not because every view is correct in the absolute term, but because we should be free to think and struggle through ideas, and be allowed to change our mind as we grow.

I'm thankful that allowance was given to me.

Nobody forced me to shift my perspective. I learned, I saw the love of others with views different than my own, and I moved closer to their side; first because of their love, later because of their logic.

1. I know that there are people who are disingenuous, and who use their views as a sword to hurt others. We should still show our love for them, but call them out for abuse of power.