I was fascinated to hear a very experienced and senior political figure share how she no longer allows herself to be polarised by issue.
Further explanation from her revealed that rather than feel she had to form a firm opinion on matters of public debate and assign herself to one end of the value spectrum or the other, she had begun to listen to both sides of the debate and take from it valuable learnings about serious issues and the thinking of her community.
The cynical amongst you will see her actions as political manoeuvring - I don't.
Let me share with you an example of why refusing to be polarised about important or current matters of importance may provide you with an opportunity to find an exciting pathway forward.
Aucklanders - God bless em - have been polarised by the Super City's decision to stop maintaining Auckland Central berms - bringing the area into line with the other six territorial councils that make up the Super City, which did not mow berms.
(For those of you who may need translation - Berms: The grass verge of a suburban street, usually kept mown).
Intrigued by the cacophony of extreme views being publicly aired on this matter, I decided to investigate Auckland's 'berms' for myself.
With a new focus and an open mind I have been enjoying extensive inner city walks with the dogs, studying the berms and just how households are currently managing them.
Unsurprisingly - given the wide range of opinion on this topic - there is a significant variety of berm treatments currently being practiced by the rate-paying public of each inner-city suburb that I have been exploring.
From immaculate greens to muddied car park, exotic and lush garden extensions to unkempt and shameful wastelands, and private oasis to public rubbish tips. The contrast is dramatic and surprisingly sudden, with demarcations set with precise lawn care boundaries you can step from 'English Cut' to 'Desert Wasteland' in an instant.
Several key realities became very apparent very quickly;
1) The current system of berm maintenance is a joke. The council should be ashamed of their review processes given the significant road frontages I see daily that have not seen a mower in what must be months.
2) The level of interest / pride of the inner city community have in their berms is as varied and divided as any two poles could be. Just as some people shower their little green space with affection and care, others treat it quite literally like it is a dumping ground.
So where am I going with this?
Regardless of where you may place yourself on this polarising issue, we should all stop and look at the opportunity we all have to embrace our cityscape.
Rather than demand our pound of flesh from the Council - and I am all for accountability so I am not suggesting we ignore their appalling management of our money - we can take this moment as a signal form the authorities that they are happy for us to take ownership of our immediate environment.
Imagine the collective energy and creativity of neighbourhoods should they focus on the significant asset that their local 'berms' represent. Those who are inclined to maintain, decorate or utilize these spaces will not only do so to their own strips of green expression but could feel free to 'take charge' of derelict and orphaned berms.
Aside from my wee 'berm' example, I have been applying my personal avoidance of polarised opinion forming in the work place! Wow! Very empowering.
Most significant in my changed thought process is the realization that if I don't feel the need to place myself on any emotional continuum, I slow down and consider very carefully ALL the information at hand and consider a much wider range of strategies for dealing with each 'business moment'.
Hope you too can avoid being polarised in your busy day.
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