With all that’s been happening in the world, I’m sure you are feeling a variety of emotions. All of this hurt is taking place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had already left most of us feeling vulnerable & unsettled.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we might best move forward, as I’m sure you have been too. When things get complicated and feel overwhelming, it can be tough to know where to begin.
I was grateful when my friend and fellow women’s health coach shared a video called “The Third Option” by Miles McPherson. Miles is a former NFL player who became a Pastor, and he is passionate about helping our nation bring racial division to an end. His video struck a chord with me, and when I finished watching the video, I ordered his book (also called “The Third Option“) and I finished the book in two days.
The underlying message in the book is this ~ As human beings, there should be no “us” or “them,” but rather a third option….”We”. Contrary to what many believe, discrimination isn’t the result of hating a person or a particular group of people. It almost always comes from a place of fear and ignorance.
Changes will only happen if we start with ourselves ~ acknowledging our biases (we all have them because we are human after all) and identifying our blind spots. We need to get to know people before making assumptions based on biases we may have adopted over the years.
I’m not an expert in any of this, but as a women’s health educator, I’m a big believer in continuing education. Whether educating ourselves about hormone replacement therapy in menopause or learning about racial & cultural differences, the more informed we are, the better we are at making decisions and forming opinions that come from a place of knowledge rather than from a place of ignorance.
As women who are journeying through midlife together, please remember that we are so much more alike than we are different. I hope that we can form a sisterhood that’s united by our similarities and celebrates our differences. And I hope that we can find collective strength as we work toward meaningful change together.
