I love the writings of Seth Godin, who generally cuts right to the core of it. And I loved the message he has here in a newsletter he sent out a few days ago, but something about it didn’t fit. He said:
“Shun the people who have transgressed against cultural norms.
And shun the people who have stood with those people.
Shun the people who have a different solution to an urgent problem.
Shun the people who didn’t invite you.
Shun the people who aren’t shunning the right people.
Shun those who have slighted you.
And shun those who didn’t realize that they should be shunning those that you’re shunning.
Not much left.
Shunning is a powerful tool, it is a sanction that society uses to maintain norms. But it’s an absolute tool, a final resort.
It’s possible to connect with people without endorsing their worst actions. In fact, the best way to undo negative actions may be to engage with people to persuade them that there’s a different way forward.”
I sat with it – and it’s the word shun. I hear in this; stand up for yourself, don’t water down your actions and your being if you don’t fit in. And yet also don’t let yourself shun so much you can’t relate to others. Shun sounds so heavy though, slightly resentful.
So I wanted to try it out like this to see if a slight shift brought it some light.
“Let go; the people who have transgressed against cultural norms.
Disengage with; the people who have stood with those people.
Don’t engage with; the people who have a different solution to an urgent problem.
Resolve that; the people who didn’t invite you.
Accept; the people who aren’t shunning the right people.
Forgive; those who have slighted you.
And love; those who didn’t realize that they should be shunning those that you’re shunning.
Not much left.
Directing our attention with clarity is; a powerful tool, it is a sanction that society uses to maintain norms. But it’s an absolute tool, a final resort.
What is needed is; to connect with people without endorsing their worst actions. In fact, the best way to undo negative actions may be to engage with people to persuade them that there’s a different way forward.”
Written with love,
Jac x
L E T T E R from Jac – To Shun, Or…
