Comments on: Making Repair

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 19:23:28 +0000

Thank you, Sharon. I am honored you use this venerable concept to describe my efforts.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Sat, 09 Mar 2019 12:41:36 +0000

Tikkun Olam—doing your part!

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 03:56:13 +0000

Thank you so much, Gena. You made me go back and read “Aloft.” In all these instances the common thread to me is finding access to the grace not to respond primarily from defensiveness, but from the opportunity to access that grace that allows me to align myself with an apprehension of a larger truth. However fleeting that apprehension might be, I believe it moves me forward in positive ways, both personally and in my place in the world. I also like to think it helps us heal the very real collective tragedies that hold us back from all our humanity can be. I am so appreciative of your seeing the common threads and bringing them to my attention, amidst your very busy semester. It’s always so good to hear from you here. xo

ps: I also want to add that although the man on the street is definitely a member of an important subculture in our society, indeed the one most of our country was built on the backs of, he and all black Americans are Americans, as we all are, and I was emphasizing that common ground (rich with diversity), and hoping we can continue to heal the terrible rifts in it by acknowledging and addressing the cruelty of epic proportions that is part of our history and our present still. So again, I guess, responding from that larger purpose, which, I respond to at a personal level. I know everyone doesn’t, but it can’t hurt to invite them to! 🙂 xoxo

By: Gena

Gena — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 13:52:43 +0000

Maria,

I love how succinctly your therapist friend managed to capture your spirit and efforts with “making repair.” It’s funny, how personally and differently things hit us: I remember reading that post (“On the Street”) when you wrote it and it was so clear to me right away that that’s what the encounter was about, for you. “I’m sorry” wasn’t an apology for yourself so much as for the circumstances that had made the man react to your actions the way he did. I think it’s true that healing between people and cultures often needs to take the form of being willing to see larger forces at work for which we aren’t directly responsible, but we can be sorry for (and express sorriness for) nonetheless.

Somehow this post also makes me think of your post “Aloft.” I think you said in that post something akin to “trying to convince others is overrated.” I learn more and more each day how important it is to allow others to see and experience things as they do. There are moments when making repair is possible/accessible in the here and now, through dialog or action, and at those times it’s a wonderful thing to think and act beyond ourselves with the intention of healing in mind.

There are also moments for acknowledging differences and distances to exist, trying to tolerate them even if we can’t understand them, and perhaps hoping that repair might happen through time or through shifts that we can’t foresee or contribute to.

Such are my jumbled thoughts this morning! It is always wonderful to read anything you write.

By: Maria Theresa Maggi

Maria Theresa Maggi — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 18:34:45 +0000

Thank you so much, Nicole, for reading and for this great comment. You put into words some things that are hard to say so well. And yes, I found Krista Tippet struggled with that mightily, too, at certain points in the discussion. Thanks for validating that to me. And I so agree with you that trying to integrate the intersection of sex gender race and class as well as ability and other social factrous/cultural cues is one of the hardest tasks before us. I’m certainly far from perfect at it. I especially appreciate you reminding us here that we ALL benefit from making repair and lifting up the least of us. It doesn’t tickle at first, sometimes, but in the end it’s the best and most sure moment of grace there is. xoxo

By: Nicole O'Shea

Nicole O'Shea — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 17:08:58 +0000

Maria, I am so glad you wrote this so others can read it. The difference was your intention – making repair – and so often it seems our intention is self or ego protection. I recently listened to that same On Being podcast – two nights ago! And I thought it was interesting even within in there were moments where I experienced Krista Tippett as having the second intention.Just goes to show we are all going to be imperfect, no matter our ideals, and the only real way to make the ok is to continue in a process of making repair.

I think it is interesting too, that trying to integrate the intersection of sex, gender, race and class, as well as ability and other social factors/cultural cues, is one of the hardest things for us to do. The world teaches us to guard ourselves and it’s all Darwinian out there. What if we all spent a little more time considering that all of us benefit from making repair and lifting up the least of us? That would be amazing.

xoxo

Nicole