Dear Somerset Community
On Monday this week, we welcomed Lann Levinge (Uncle Lann) as we acknowledged Reconciliation week. This year’s theme is ‘Bridging Now to Next’, emphasising the ongoing connection between the past, present and future. In his welcome, Uncle Lann explained a little about the definition of reconciliation; of wanting to come together, to heal, and restore a relationship. Whilst we take some time this week to acknowledge National Reconciliation week and the Indigenous history of our country, reconciliation transcends so much of our lives. It’s in our own relationships, in our workplaces and indeed, between all sorts of groups of people.
We only need to tune in to the news each day to see challenges of fractured relationships in our homes, in our work environments, our neighbours, and between and within nations. Reconciliation is such a powerful concept, and I wonder how it is best entered. A process of reconciliation is obviously not easy. There is a verse in the Bible, in the New Testament book of James, where the writer encourages new Christians on how to live. This verse is simple wisdom but so often difficult to enact. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. The two counter cultural approaches here are quick to listen and slow to speak. Yet with so much of what we see and read, people are quick to speak and slow to listen. This small piece of wisdom is so easy to say but so incredibly hard to do, to be quick to listen but slow to speak but there is much more kudos and attention given to those who speak quickly or shout the loudest.
As I listened to Uncle Lann speak, I was once again reminded of the importance of deeply listening to the stories that help shape our understanding and awareness. This weekend, a number of our Senior students are heading off to Myall Creek with Mr Brad Walker and his team and I thank them for their time they give to allow our students to have this opportunity. Their time there is about connecting, listening and learning.
As a country, we have made some significant mistakes in how we have interreacted with each other, with our First Nations people and with others on so many levels and we are still managing these. But there is hope, if we ‘bridge now to next’ and genuinely want to make an effort to reconcile, to come together, perhaps we should heed the advice of the words in the Bible, ‘be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to become angry’.
It’s a great reminder in all aspects of life, to slow down, listen and connect with each other. We learn so much more when we listen and reflect, using what have we heard and read to help inform our response. The saying goes, We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak. This quote is attributed to Epictetus, a Greek philosopher who spent his youth as a slave in Rome before gaining freedom after the death of Nero, under whom he served until around 60 AD. If we truly want to understand other and build reconciliation, in all of our relationships then we will listen first and speak and act in ways that will see lasting positive change. We have come a long way in our relationships with our First Nations people, but there is still very much more to do; and there is still more to do with so many relationships that need reconciliation. Our next generation will learn this best if it is modelled well by those around them.
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