I believe our most audacious hope and challenge is to approach one another with loving kindness. Even those with whom we have deep disagreements. Especially, perhaps, those with whom we have deep disagreements.

I’m not good at it yet, though; I have a long way to go. Because today all I can feel is sadness for so many thousands of my fellow citizens who choose to make their worlds smaller.

Whether they truly believe they are right, or choose out of fear or ignorance, it seems so painful to shrink one’s world to something so small, so isolated, so lonely.

Choosing to expand our worlds, to open up to that which is unknown, different, provocative, can also be painful. But at least it brings with it equal opportunities for joy and celebration.

As Thich Nhat Hanh writes: “The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”