Getting off the couch.

In our living room, there is a soft squishy couch that wraps itself around you whenever you take a seat. To make it there at the end of a day, with feet extended and head resting on one of the pillows, is to be comfortable and safe, indeed. More than once, I have longed to be able to spend the rest of my life on the couch, but last night I learned the importance of getting up.

Our church was sponsoring a talk by Debby Irving, the author of Waking Up White, a book that reveals the countless ways we live life on an unlevel playing field that is both systemic and hauntingly pervasive, once you have eyes to see. Having grown up privileged on countless levels, I squirmed in my pew more than once during the presentation. It was not a comfortable evening, and yet, as I left the church, I was electrified by the connection I felt with the others who cared enough to attend. Regardless of whether they were black or white, gay or straight, Democrat or Republican, young or old, I left feeling united despite our differences. We were united human beings struggling to make our way through this sinful and broken world, as the Prayer Book puts it. Rather than feeling guilty about my life experience, I was empowered to see beyond my own perspective.

I would be lying if I said I was eager to leave the couch and attend the talk. Sitting on the couch, I wanted to be like those I know who dismissed the book and saw the event as unnecessary. They were comfortable with how they saw the world and saw no point in seeing things from another perspective. Like them, I was not in the mood to examine my life, challenge my long-held assumptions, and, basically, get uncomfortable. I wanted to stay on the couch, but I got up and I’m so glad I did. 

Extra Credit:

1)    When was the last time you deliberately made yourself uncomfortable?

2)    When was the last time you talked with someone not like you? (And during the conversation did you listen more than talk? Ask questions more than answer?)

3)    Where in your life are you stuck on the couch?