The Tree We See

^{”No two people see the same tree.” — A conversation with Byron Katie}

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Dear Friends,

“I can never vote for Biden,” the 30-something man tells me as he drives me in an Uber to the airport.

“The border is not secure, and it’s his fault. The border needs to be closed, immediately.”

We continue our conversation, and I am curious about “the particular tree” he sees as it relates to the US election.

As we explore further, I learn that he snuck over the border from Mexico with his family when he was 4 year’s old. “It was so intense,” he tells me, “I remember it very clearly.”

I am thinking, “What! This makes no sense.”

But as I inquired more, he says, “Well, yes, I came in illegally, but now this is our home, and I need to protect my family.”

THE CHANGING TREE

The post is not meant to debate the US border policy with Mexico, that is not my expertise, but on how our view of a situation changes based on our conditions.

For example. if we make very little money one year, we likely support higher taxes for the rich. If we make a lot of money the next year, we likely believe in lower taxes for the rich. The tree we see changes.

Why does this matter?

Because it helps us understand another person’s view, and hopefully have compassion.

Glennon Doyle writes, “Compassion is a choice we make that love is more important than comfort or convenience.”

Even if our intention is to change someone’s perspective, it helps to understand it first.

As I got out of the Uber at the airport, the man said, “I know we have different political views, but it was really good to talk to you. Thank you for listening. We need more of this in America.”

I agreed.

There are many different trees we see in life — in politics, relationships, parenting — and in times of confusion or misalignment, it only takes one person to inquire:

“So, tell me about the tree you see?”

And often the connection deepens.

Blessings,

SOREN

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