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I have frequently observed that human beings tend to think within two polarized spheres- hot or cold; light or dark; together or apart. We overlook the middle ground. We over look warm; we overlook dusk; we overlook connected.

Since we overlook this middle-ground, many people feel trapped in the unfortunate situation that if you’re not on my side, then you must be on the other. If you’re not right, then you must be wrong. If you’ve posted about the shootings, you’ve chosen a side. If you’ve posted about police officers, you’ve chosen a side. There are two mutually exclusive sides, one cannot exist within the realm of the other.

And from this line of thinking, I am reminded of another observed tendency of people- we can live as a pack of thieves, stealing ideas from each other. We rummage for answers through rubbish and buy into the idea that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And when there are only two sides from which to steal, there often is no treasure.

At least to me, one truth remains- we cannot ignore these canaries in the coal mine. The Altons, the Philandos, the Brents, the Lornes- these canaries all carry the same prophetic warning. The world is speaking and the state of the Union is in focus. Tumultuous, explosive danger looms ahead. Do we stop? Do we turn around? Do we forge ahead?

I don’t have an answer. I’m not sure who does. I know it’s not a single answer. I know it’s not a simple answer. I know it will take time; I am sad to admit that I don’t think I will see the change in my lifetime. I know I hope I am wrong. I’m know I am willing to contribute and to try. I know I am confused and heartbroken and I am standing in the middle when society begs me to choose one of two sides. And I am holding firm to the idea that maybe there isn’t a here or there. Maybe we’re together. Maybe there isn’t a right or wrong. Maybe there is just a different. And maybe we can be different from the polarized thinking that plagues our society. And although it’s the notion of different that began shredding us apart, I also painfully hope that different can bring us together- a different way of thinking, a different course of actions, a different dialogue. I hope different be a catalyst for creating, impacting, and imparting a different future.