As we enter into Fall all of my favourite places to walk are lined with golden rod. Which means no matter how antihistamines I take after just a few minutes of walking I start having trouble breathing and get itchy all over.
The grumpy allergy ridden part of my brain says it is just a dumb weed and we should just rip it all out so that I have one less allergen to worry about!
But when I pause to take a moment to observe the plant, I see a flurry of life and activity. There are bees and wasps fluttering in and out – receiving nourishment and pollinating the plants. Butterflies stop and rest for a moment providing a beautiful contrast to the vibrant yellow colour. (I didn’t get a picture of that. Butterflies tend to be shy and fly away when the camera is on them.)
The golden rod is an important part of the ecosystem that we are a part of, and I should not just remove it for my convenience.
There are so many places in life where the needs of one person conflicts with the needs of someone else. For a person in a wheelchair a ramp is a necessity but for someone who can walk but is unable to walk long distances the same ramp becomes a barrier.
Using in screens for conferences or in worship services is a great way to provide information to a large group of people but for some people who wear glasses they can be challenging to see. Some people may have to sit a specific distance away to be able to see properly.
The school I attend strives to be scent free in an attempt to be more accessible. That is great for me since I am allergic to some scents that are common in cosmetics and cleaning products. It was not so great for my friend who uses lavender oil to help with her migraines.
So, when one person’s needs are in direct conflict with the needs of another how do you create a space that is best for everyone.
My initial reaction was to put her health first. After all I am used to being in places that trigger my allergies. Luckily, my friend was trying to put my health first and didn’t allow me to sacrifice my own well being for hers. We were able to talk it through and work out a system where she would use it at night and wash it off before I saw her in the morning and if too much lingered on her I was able to move away from her and she would know it was nothing personal.
But when conflicts arise in broader society, we don’t always feel like everyone in the discussion are holding each other’s best interests at heart.
How do we create a space where everyone feels like their needs are heard and we can acknowledge the unique needs and perspectives in a community so that we can move into a place that balances the needs of all?
Where have you seen imbalances in the world? Who needs to be invited into the conversation to address that imbalance?