Last night, my wife and I saw Black Panther. We both enjoyed the movie and recommend it, but what stuck with me the most was the line after the first few credits began to roll. In an announcement at the United Nations, T’Challa says, “In times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another as if we were one single tribe.” It is such a poignant line for our time in the world. Regardless of your political beliefs, I would hope that you would rather have friends than enemies. This sentiment is not only true on a grand scale, but also true in our very own lives.
Whether it’s with your spouse, your children, siblings, parents, colleagues, or yes, even those people you don’t know. It’s important to be open to the values and opinions of others. It does not mean that you have to believe everything you hear or even be coerced into a different belief. I’ve noticed in my life that when I’m connected to the fact that we are one human species and that we’re all connected, I feel happier and more at peace. When I’m angry or frustrated, I am typically not connected to that same sense of feeling connected to one tribe.
I believe it’s important to take care of each other and like T’Challa says, “build bridges.” When those bridges are built from the heart there is peace and love. Here are a few ways you can mend grievances and create a more peaceful life.
Communicate
I know it sounds simple, but so many people walk around with an entire dialogue going on in their head without ever addressing why or what they’re thinking. I’m guilty of this. Before a meeting, I’ll have an entire conversation that may or may not happen. It’s so much easier when we tell the truth. We have nothing to hide.
Have Faith
Speaking your truth sometimes has consequences that you may not like, so you’ll have to be willing to deal with the uncomfortable feelings. This is when it’s important to have faith in something greater than yourself. If you’re religious, it’s a perfect time to go deeper into that side of your faith and if not, simple faith in that everything in the Universe will work out, even when it doesn’t seem that way on the surface.
Hug
I know it sounds cheesy, but there is nothing like giving someone a hug. It’s a simple embrace that heals. Try it next time. There are all kinds of hugs, but when you give someone a real, strong embrace, not a limp pat on the back, you’ll feel an exchange of energy. It’s a way of communicating with your body and sending the message that we’re equal and we come from the heart.
So, whether you’re spending time with your family and you need to mend a divide, or you’re working on a new partnership and you need to build a bridge, take the time, look the person in the eye, speak your truth, have faith that things will work out, and end with a hug.
Photo Credit: flickr.com/GeoffLivingston
Originally published on the author’s website.