Yup. Mindfulness is like popcorn. In the wake of the tragic shootings in Quebec this week, how do you apply mindfulness? Well, if we use the metaphor of cooking popcorn then we all have something that we can do to prevent this from happening again. If hate is the oil in the popcorn pan then the hotter it simmers under every kernel the more likely one will pop. And as soon as one pops then the others will follow shortly after......unless you turn down the heat! And how do we turn down the heat in a society where dramas and social media perpetuate hate all the time? 1) By catching yourself talking about others in derogatory ways instead of talking about how their behaviour impacted you. 2) By meeting and getting to know people of different religions and cultural backgrounds. Studies show that intolerance begets intolerance and that often killers like Bissonette have never met someone of the faith that they've been taught to hate. 3) Join in vigils and programs in your community that encourage tolerance and acceptance and education about racism, sexism, bullying and intolerance. 4) Speak up when you see and hear others being intolerant or bullying. Trudeau requested that Fox news remove a tweet when they said that they thought there was a second killer and that he was of Morrocan origin.
"Tuesday, Kate Purchase, Trudeau’s director of communications, wrote to Fox News,
“Canada is an open, welcoming country that stands by its citizens,” Purchase said in her letter.
“We are a nation of millions of immigrants and refugees, of hundreds of cultures, languages, and religions bound by one, unwavering, unshakable belief: we are stronger not in spite of our differences, but because of them.
“These tweets by Fox News dishonour the memory of the six victims and their families by spreading misinformation, playing identity politics, and perpetuating fear and division within our communities.”" Thank you Trudeau and Purchase for modelling what we all need to be doing more of.
I believe this happened in a Quebec mosque because a Supreme Court judge, who models behaviour for citizens of that province, asked a woman to remove her Hijab in the courtroom.
Lack of tolerance for difference breeds lack of tolerance for difference.
Your choice. Decide what you want to do about the culture you live in and how you want to go about being you in the attitudes you share and perpetuate. Remember it's always just notice, decide, choose....repeat!
"Tuesday, Kate Purchase, Trudeau’s director of communications, wrote to Fox News,
“Canada is an open, welcoming country that stands by its citizens,” Purchase said in her letter.
“We are a nation of millions of immigrants and refugees, of hundreds of cultures, languages, and religions bound by one, unwavering, unshakable belief: we are stronger not in spite of our differences, but because of them.
“These tweets by Fox News dishonour the memory of the six victims and their families by spreading misinformation, playing identity politics, and perpetuating fear and division within our communities.”" Thank you Trudeau and Purchase for modelling what we all need to be doing more of.
I believe this happened in a Quebec mosque because a Supreme Court judge, who models behaviour for citizens of that province, asked a woman to remove her Hijab in the courtroom.
Lack of tolerance for difference breeds lack of tolerance for difference.
Your choice. Decide what you want to do about the culture you live in and how you want to go about being you in the attitudes you share and perpetuate. Remember it's always just notice, decide, choose....repeat!