AnOther's Story in the city
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Our urban setting swarms with people. What a rich and ripe environment to learn from others: our friends, neighbors, and the strangers whose lives intersect ours. Listening to their stories with openness and curiosity has the power to shape us in God’s story. Here are a few practical suggestions to help you engage the spiritual practice of listening well to “an other” this week.
1: PREPARE
Notice your own biases.
It’s natural for us to categorize people at first glance - it’s how our brains process information - but awareness of your biases and judgments helps interrupt your subconscious conclusions. Set them aside! Be curious and open-hearted.
Notice something beautiful.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see with God’s eyes. What do you see that you can appreciate? What beauty can you find? What strikes you as unique or curious?
2: APPROACH
Be humble.
This isn’t about you, the image you want to portray, or the agenda you want to control. Just introduce yourself. Share what you’ve noticed. It might be awkward, but it honors the “other”.
Share your need.
Explain why you’d like to talk. Admitting your vulnerability actually establishes connection. You could start by saying:
- “I’d love to hear your perspective on something I’ve been wondering…”
- “This might seem odd, but…”
- “As part of a spiritual practice, I’m trying to listen to others around me, and I’m curious…”
3: IDEAS
Are you spontaneous?
If you go with the flow, that’s terrific! Challenge yourself to go one question deeper as you follow where the Spirit leads. Where does what they’re saying connect with you? Could you share that connection?
Are you in need of a plan?
Below is a list of questions to prod your own curiosity. What might God be inviting you to explore in others’ stories? What’s alive for you that others might inform?
- What were you looking for when you came to the city?
- What’s something about this city that’s made you a better person?
- What’s something you’re longing to see changed in this city?
- Where do you experience hope in this city?
- Where do you see love expressed in this city?
- Where do you explore your deeper questions, inner journey, or spiritual path?
- If you could sit with a spiritual guide right now, what question would you ask?
- Is there a concern or burden you have that I could remember in prayer?
- Pause today and with open eyes see the performance of beauty and grace where you find yourself.