“There is more to see in myself than just what I look for. There is more to see in my enemies than just what I look for. There is more to see in this country than just what I look for. I need this to be true. I need to stop looking for affirmation of what I already believe and instead see the world and others and myself through the eyes of a God who loves all of it madly.”
– Nadia Bolz-Weber
What the quote above mentions might also be referred to as confirmation bias, as well as negativity bias. Confirmation bias is defined as “the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories.” While negativity bias is defined as “our tendency not only to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events.”
Our tendency to give more of our attention to bad news and supposed negative traits is likely a result of evolution. Previously in human history, it was more common that paying attention to threats was a matter of life and death. While these biases exist for important reasons, there are many moments in which they do not serve us well today. These days, it is easy to feel angry and divided. It takes conscious effort to practice compassion and communicate in healthy ways.
I wish for the discernment, awareness, and patience needed today to see clearly where biases lie. May we approach the most provoking conversations with more curiosity than insistence. Allow us to understand why we find ourselves angry, hurt, and disheartened, and give us the tools to heal. Relieve our tension and inspire us to build a more just, peaceful, and thoughtful world.
…I am here for you, just an email or a phone call away. While I am no longer holding virtual “office hours”, you can reach me on my personal phone at 507-995-7929 or by email at cfddirector@uumankato.org . If I do not answer, I encourage you to send a text or leave a voicemail. Currently, I am available for daytime meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I also do have availability most other weekday evenings. I will continue to do my best to serve as a resource to our community, through connecting you to one another and of course, directly. Being a light in the lives of others is as important as ever, and I hope you will stay connected.
Macey Forsyth
Please consider joining our private Facebook group: UUFM Children’s Faith Development (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404655806251029/). This group is intended for families and congregants who are involved in Children’s Faith Development. My approval of new members’ access to the information there is what makes the group a safe space for sharing. I will be sharing our weekly stories as Facebook videos on my personal page publicly and sharing them in the group, as well as short prayers and meditations.
Link to the stories: Our virtual Stories for All Ages are now available on the UUFM YouTube Channel. At least one new story will be available by Sunday, each week.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwWkbABO6HpDlw5Po2TdQA?view_as=subscriber
Macey is off for Labor Day weekend on Sunday, September 5th. Children’s and Youth programming will resume September 12th, with multi-platform offerings being offered (primarily outdoor and online). Please stay tuned for more details.