Intolerance

I have had a growing uneasy feeling over the past several months, but unable to put a finger it. I was finally able to figure it out reading the online edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer and the comments people make to articles, opinions, and letters to the editor.

Before I make my comment I want to clarify this isn’t about everyone. And I understand that not all who read the paper make comments, in fact, I’d bet most don’t. And my observation doesn’t include everyone who makes comments. But I’ve become very aware of how intolerant we are toward each other.

Merriam-Webster defines intolerance as ‘unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression especially in religious matters’ and ‘unwilling to grant or share social, political, or professional rights.’

We as a society; you and me see or hear people being intolerant of each other’s ideas and opinions every day of the week. And not just in the printed paper, but on television and the radio. It seems to me that underneath most of the intolerance is anger and frustration, in my opinion driven by fear.

We very quickly resort to name calling and veiled (although sometimes not so veiled) threats toward each other. The frequency, intensity and how quickly it becomes so intense amazes me. And I believe these are intelligent, thoughtful people. It’s interesting to me that we share very real concerns about the violence of our youth, and yet we so quickly verbally attack each other. Are we teaching our youth to be intolerant?

I recognize we’re not going to agree with each other, believe me. And I believe it’s important to talk about our disagreements with vigor and energy. But I think we’ve gone too far when making statements that either directly or indirectly demean another person in some way.

Practicing tolerance (Merriam-Webster: ‘to endure, to put up with’) doesn’t mean we have to agree or like what we hear, see or read.

My Big Adventure!

Like a lot of others, I lost power last Sunday – watching the Bengals play, my T.V. going off, coming on, going off, coming on, then finally going off – I went outside to see kids running up and down the sidewalk, laughing and screaming – then I heard ‘pop’! and saw a large tree branch fall into the yard across the street, leaves and dirt being thrown by the wind down the block.

Then one of the branches from my tree falls into my neighbor’s yard. ‘Great’, I thought, although I was looking forward to using my chainsaw again. I went in for a minute, returning to my porch to find a much larger branch from my tree had fallen halfway into my neighbor’s yard, bending my chain-link fence almost to the ground. And one of my slate shingles point-first in the ground – impressive.

By the time it was over, which seemed to me almost as quickly as it had arrived, several shingles had been blown from my roof. I took several tours around my home, checking for damage I could see or find, and satisfied, I decided to call my insurance company and report my damage.

I was figuring that I’d be lucky to get power back Sunday, so I began searching for the ever-elusive flashlights and a transistor radio my son had gotten me for my birthday, which I couldn’t find.

So last Monday was a wash regarding work – I spent my day calling roofers, fence people, and cutting up the smaller of the 2 tree branches. I did find that radio and began listening to what people were saying. It was interesting to say the least.

More to follow on my Big Adventure!!

On Finding an Office and Open House

So I’m getting ready for my open house – coming up Thursday, Sept 4th – I really like my office space. It’s relaxing, which is good since I do counseling and hypnosis there. I have this piece of furniture, it’s not a couch, but not a bed – it’s kind of like one of those pool deck recliners without arms – I can adjust the head from flat to different angles. It’s great for hypnosis.

I was driving around Cincinnati looking for space and almost rented at Longworth Hall, down near the Bengal’s stadium. Great office space and lots of free parking. But when I told the lady that there are times when doing work with couples they get angry and raise their voices toward each other, (yes this does happen in therapy) I was shown the door. Quiet place there.

So, I drove around with my notebook and pen, looking for potential space. I ran into a couple problems. The first was space itself. There’s lots of space out there, but not much small space. I don’t need much. I am in private practice by myself. I needed space large enough for when I facilitate small workshops, maybe 12 – 15 people but not much more than that. People have lots of space to rent. I mean lots of space. Like a couple thousand square feet – and while no one laughed and hung up on me, I quickly realized just how small a fish I am.

The second problem really surprised me. I’d drive by some place, see an advertisement, and write down the number. I’d call, leave a voicemail with my phone number and information that I wanted to see the space. Many times I never received a return phone call. That was odd. I figured people wanted to rent space.

I found my office on one of my trips. I was driving down Montgomery Road, into Silverton when I saw the advertisement for office space on this cool looking building. I called, they called me back, and voila`! I am now in an office about a mile west of the Kenwood Towne Center, on the corner of Montgomery Road and Silverton Avenue. I now can see people on the west and east side of the city.

So if you’re reading this, you’re invited to my open house on Sept. 4th, from 4:30 – 7:30pm at 6900 Silverton Avenue. There’s free parking behind the building, and those who come will be entered for a chance to win a free hypnosis session. And I’ll have drinks and hors d’oeurves. All are welcome. All are welcome.