Up until recently, I had little care for “political correctness”. I have long held the belief that being “politically correct” was indicative of weakness. However through my self reflection, with the backdrop of the human condition, it has become clear that while the human condition is universal, how each individual processes it is unique. In that very moment it dawned on me that politically correctness is not weakness but empathy in practice: An effort to reach someone without offending them through ignorance. The very minute you offend someone you invite pull back, tension that can sever the line of communication, obfuscate belonging, progress delayed because of petty: This is the human reality. Does bring politically correct mean backing away from difficult topics or refraining from honest, open discussions? No. It means approaching it in a way that another can digest and understand. After all, what good is communication if what is being communicated is not understood? Poor communication undermines all efforts and benefits none; dialogue dissipate leaving behind meaningless diatribe dregs.
In grappling with communication frustration, among other things, I have found new depths to the adage hard times build character. Uncomfortable situations force one to look in the mirror, to examine one's self. Character development mandates looking oneself in the mirror often—to ensure you are indeed becoming the person who you desire to become. In dark moments of struggle, self-examination, contemplation, and meditation—where thoughts find dirt—baggage carried transformed into stepping stones towards peace. The water from the pipes busted by pressure sought to hydrate roots, rather than drown... giving new life to perspective and possibilities. Reflection lead to the realization that I was not accountable to me, not practicing what I preached, growth was wild and uncontrolled: Leaves of purpose were wilting, in need of immediate attention; weeds chocking potential required disciplined weeding. It was clear empathy in communication, in living, could only happen with the understanding that arise from self-examination—the mile markers along life’s marathon... the universal elixir for the human condition.
