Friday 13 is a day of superstition, but for this window it is a day to listen.

Today, listen with care.

Around the world there is more and more division and conflict, and people take on more entrenched positions, and we end up with more seemingly unbridgeable divides. Just like a dog trained through fear, they’re ready to come out fighting. When humans get scared, they get more divided. But the way to help a fearful dog or human isn’t to fight back, but to build optimism. And that takes compassion. And compassion means listening. We don’t have to agree with each other, but we do need to try to have sympathy. And we absolutely have to listen to each other.

So today, take the time to listen, to participate, and to give people the chance to talk it through. Today, don’t interrupt, don’t correct, just listen.

And as you listen make sure we can hear too in all the usual ways – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email – and share some compassion.

All in Advent! Are you in? Because we are all in! 💖

#AllinAdvent