I am preparing for meetings the day after we arrive home from Europe and the Middle East so my mind has been immersed on the topic of dignity, our theme of late.
One of the brainstorming exercises I ran across instructs the facilitator to try reversing a question to lead the group in how to do a thing very badly. I know it sounds crazy to explore ways to make something harder and I had a lot of trouble formulating the questions. It’s a counter-intuitive exercise. Let me give you an example. Instead of asking, “What fosters a sense of dignity in people’s lives?”, we ask, “How can we strip a person of her dignity?” It’s a question I have trouble shaping because it’s just completely opposite of the direction I’m working toward. Yet, I found value in exploring the reverse of things because it can helped bring clarity and fresh perspective.
How do we strip people of their dignity? Here are a few thoughts…
Railroading people with our verbosity when they just really want to share something of themselves is demeaning. So it makes sense that the better thing is to listen. It’s hard work to suspend our needs in order to give people room to work something through or let us into their space. We learn that listening is important in esteeming one another.
Comparing people with ourselves and criticizing their efforts so we come out better, cultivating our private sense of superiority instead of valuing them as people whom God created to exercise freedom of choice is inconsiderate. Wouldn’t it be better to celebrate each other in our diversity, affirming one another’s significance and contribution in the broader community?
Isolating ourselves from one another, physically or emotionally so we don’t have to carry their stuff or put up with annoying little habits or care too much about their pain is another way of stripping people of their worth. Isn’t it honouring to have someone you know you can call on, even drop in on, who offers such love so consistently that you feel valued and special? Wouldn’t that be a step toward cultivating dignity?
Let me just say, that I have been guilty of each one of these undignified behaviours and I’m not proud of that.
But it is an interesting exercise, isn’t it?
I wonder, friends, what nourishes dignity in you?
PS The photo is one of my sister and I. She is off on a new adventure to the USA in a few days and I just want to say, “Bon Voyage, little sister! I applaud your decision and pray all goes swimmingly.” I love you lots! (She’s the better looking one on the right.)
