 The Purple Points Protocol is designed to help us listen twice as much as we speak. It's not a simple task. We all feel strongly about our beliefs and it's easy to focus on our own message rather than listening carefully to what others are trying to communicate.
That's why each round of the protocol begins with two listening circles before there is an opportunity for dialogue. Keeping silent while others are speaking is one of the most challenging parts of the protocol, but it's important. The silence lets everyone focus intently on what is being said, rather than worrying about what a good response would be. It's not a time to formulate a retort, it's a time to open our ears and truly listen with the goal of understanding. And when we listen through the lens of "What CONNECTS us?" we can fundamentally reshape the way we see each other and ourselves. Two ears and one mouth. We're built to listen, but it takes practice. Let's give each other the gift of listening this holiday season. The Purple Living Room Team
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 Last week, we asked you to share what you were thankful for about the United States. Here were the responses on our facebook page...
It's a great start, but we know there's more! As we celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones this week, let's take a moment to focus on what we are thankful for about our nation. What makes us grateful for our country? What makes us proud to be Americans? Let's talk with friends and family and find out! And while we're at it, let's be sure to let each other know that we're grateful for one another. Who knows? Maybe peanut butter holds the key to holding us all together. Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! The Purple Living Room Team   GRATITUDE
It's one of the guiding principles of the Purple Code . It's the final discussion round focus in the Purple Points Protocol. The Purple Living Room Project puts a lot of emphasis on giving thanks. Why? To begin with, focusing on gratitude is a quick and easy way to find purple points. No matter what our political beliefs, we all can think of something that we appreciate about our country. Hearing each other voice what we're grateful for helps us understand that we all love our country. It's a simple way to bring us closer together. But focusing on what we're grateful for about America is more than just an easy win for finding common ground. It's also a way for us to recognize what's at stake when we have our Purple Living Room conversations. Everytime we articulate what we love about the United States, we are reminded of why we need to put in the effort to keep these states united. In our local launch event last week, we started a Gratitude Garland. Everyone wrote one idea and added it to a string of thoughts illustrating what we are grateful for about the United States. We're going to keep adding to this piece when we meet and we look forward to watching it grow... Thanksgiving is right around the corner. It's a time to celebrate our connections with friends and families. It's a time to reflect on everything we're thankful for...in our home, in our community, in our nation, in our world. During this time when we all focus on gratitude, let's try to think carefully about what makes us thankful for our country. Think about what makes you grateful to be an American and write your thoughts in the comments below or share them with our Facebook group. Next week, this blog space will be dedicated to your thoughts. What are we grateful for, America? Let's find out... The Purple Living Room Team  We had an inspiring Purple Living Room launch event in our community last night. It was an evening designed to introduce the project to our neighbors. We explained the project and practiced the protocol. We commemorated the year anniversary of the divisive 2016 election with a positive conversation and a renewed energy and commitment to finding Purple Points.
There was just one thing missing... People. We advertised far and wide. We talked it up with friends and neighbors. Our Purple Living Room Project Team arrived ready to lead protocol practice circles and explain the project...go team! And a few people came. They were fabulous people with great ideas and it was definitely a successful evening, but the question in the back of my mind was, "Where IS everyone?" Maybe waiting for the COURAGE to talk and listen? When I approach people about the project, I often get two responses. The first is... "Wow--you're so brave." I don't consider myself brave at all, but I understand that it takes courage for any one of us to bridge the divide. Having an honest conversation with someone who disagrees with us requires a leap of faith that they will not judge us or think differently about us in our daily lives. That's a risk. The second response I hear quite frequently is... "Great idea--it's what we need--but I'm just not ready." And when I hear this, I nod and say I understand, and I do understand that not everyone wants to be involved, but I always leave the conversation wondering... Ready for WHAT? Ready to listen to another opinion? Ready to exchange ideas with someone who disagrees? Ready to get to know somebody from the "other side"? After the event last night, we were debriefing as a family about the evening. We celebrated the positive energy and then reflected on next steps. My daughter, who can be wise beyond her years sometimes, pointed out that I have missed many opportunities to have Purple Living Room conversations in our community. She said... "I think maybe you're afraid to ask people sometimes." BOOM....Truth. Her comment made me realize...I AM Afraid. I am afraid of a difficult encounter. I am afraid of what others might think. I am waiting to be ready. I am waiting for the COURAGE to talk with someone new. This coming Saturday is Veteran's Day and it seems like the right time to talk about courage. On Saturday, we will honor the men and women who have selflessly served our country. Our veterans have made countless sacrifices so that we all may have the privilege to hold different opinions and to speak them freely. We owe them a debt of gratitude...and we owe them a commitment to be invested our nation. Let's draw inspiration from their model and find the COURAGE to TALK to one another and LISTEN for what we have in common. This week, be sure to tell the Veterans in your life how grateful you are for their service to our country. Then, take your own small, courageous step in service of our nation. Look for someone you may not have considered talking to before and find the COURAGE to invite them to find common ground. I am going to try it...will you join me? Are you ready? Jen for the Purple Living Room Team  "I want to DO something."
This is the main reason people give for getting involved with this project. The Purple Living Room Project is intentionally designed to be something you can do at home...with friends...with minimal effort...but it does take action! Next week is our Purple Living Room Project Launch Week. What will YOU do to get involved?
It doesn't matter what you choose... Any action, big or small, means you are DOING SOMETHING! Healing our country and moving forward together as one nation requires commitment and dedication. We all need to participate and be involved. Join us! Help us find common ground, one conversation at a time...and then SHARE your actions here in the blog comments or with the Facebook group so that we can all be inspired by YOUR actions! The Purple Living Room Team |
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June 2022
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