Letter to the editor: Passion can lead to peace

Passion! Most everyone I talk to is passionate about what they observe and believe as it relates to their perspective about what is going on in our country. Passion is often so strong it resembles rage. It doesn’t seem to matter if it’s about racism, wearing masks, Marxism, socialism, patriotism, religion, politics, freedom, police, abortion, history … . I witness it with the churched, the unchurched, black, white, men, women, Republicans, Democrats.

People seem so passionate that they are unwilling to listen to anything that those with differing opinions and passions have to say. In fact, they have a difficult time speaking without getting heated, even angry and sometimes violent. This is because everyone wants to be heard but no one seems to care enough to listen.

Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. Take a minute, or eight, and put the other person ahead of your passion. Listen and learn. Only then will anyone truly be heard. Only then will we begin to experience compassion, forgiveness and healing. Only then will the harshness, yelling and violence subside. Try it, and perhaps you, too, will be given the opportunity to be heard.

Passion for people can lead to peace.

Greg Weidner

New Kensington