‘And’ is such a small word – and yet so powerful.
It has so much more positive energy and connection than its close neighbour ‘but’.
The word ‘but’ is obstructive and divisive. It negates all that goes before it. ‘I can see your point, but…’
‘And’ is a connector.
Looking at all the division in the world, I wonder what would happen if, in every dispute, there was an ‘and’? By this, I mean a solution that works for both sides.
‘I can see your point, and….’ Or ‘We need this, and you need that.’
How else do we deliver solutions that work for both left- and right-wingers? For young and for old? For rich and for poor?
What if all that’s required to resolve a conflict is an understanding of what each side really wants, deep down?
We live in times when anything is possible. All we require is the time, space and creativity to come up with another way – combined with the bravery to just try it out.
Why are we compromising? Why aren’t we creating? Why aren’t we giving time and space to hear and understand the opposing view?
Many of us are dissatisfied with the world as it is. Most of us want change, but so many of us are not prepared to change ourselves.
My hunch is that fear holds us back. And perhaps fear is the only real problem we have to solve.
Marc
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and, if I could replace you in all the “but”, the world will be a better place to live in.
I agree with Shivanni.
I once read, if you replace “but” with “and”, it’s oh so much better 🙂
If you replace the word ‘but’ with the word ‘Marmite’ the World would be a much tastier place.