Do look up!

Do look up! we won’t forget.

FROM LAST YEAR MADE SOME CHANGES AS TIMES HAVE CHANGED

Opinion

Well, the dust has settled to some degree after the happening of last week at Parliament. I intended to wait till the government finish their white wash of what happened, but see they are using the usual approach to deflect to other things. What happened that day changed our country in ways that I have never seen before in my life time. Something died on the grounds of Parliament and in our government and every facet of our society.

How did we all end up at this place? How did we allow a government to take us there? How is it possible that the other parties in Parliament went along with this and the one I cannot believe is the Maori position through all of this.

I`m still stunned: I`ve witnessed something catastrophic and am trying to process it in a way that makes sense. This riot that ended that day is absolutely landed at your feet, Jacinda Ardern, your excuses for not engaging with the protesters are lame at best. And really, you could not stand the fact that people don`t agree with your view of the world. What you did was attack the protesters` character, singling out some for special insult there by giving you the excuse to not engage with the rest

You than allowed Trevor Mallard to turn the sprinklers on and soak the protesters with a major storm coming in, followed by loud music. Your behavior as a prime minister and Labour Party member is appalling. This will never be forgotten. You did the one thing that nobody should have to contend with and that`s you took away the dignity of the protestors. You made the protest look dirty and taking away the showers was the last straw.

The other parties all have a part in this too.

– Christopher Luxon what were you thinking to be drawn into this web? Your distain for the protesters was plain to see.

– Then we have the Green Party. You meet with gang members but not protesters. Are they not of value to? You talk about climate change and all to do with saving the planet and yet, you stay quiet as the PM takes away the low daily rate for power users. A lot of people who use or are going to use alternative energy benefit from these low rates. I`ve been waiting for you to say something but not a word! I have a doubt you will be there after the next election.

– Act Party: all I say is stop sitting on the fence!

– Now, we come to Te Pati Māori, total silence! For someone who started with a roar. Your silence during this time was deafening.

– Now we come to iwi around the country: your silence is shameful. Sunday morning I watched on Maori tv one of your elders speaking about a quote from the Bible about returning good for evil. If you thought the protesters were bad why didn`t you engage with them

There were so many of your people there at the protest but you did nothing. Two people stand out, Winston Peters, who went and made a connection and talked. And the one that really stood out to me was Dame Turiana Turia. Took one old lady to speak wisdom, the only one!

I have lost respect for Maori leadership. Willie Jackson, you should hang your head!

It was A proud moment Māori there standing side by side with non-Māori – everyone singing the National Anthem

Farewell Protesters – you have touched the hearts of so many New Zealanders!

At about the same time that I realized the powerful role dignity played in resolving conflict, I also became aware of something else. Regardless of where in the world my work takes me, few people understand the true meaning of dignity, and even fewer realize the extraordinary impact it has on our lives and relationships.

That’s not to say that people don’t react when I use the word “dignity.” There is always an immediate recognition of the word and its importance, but when I ask people to define it, or tell me what it looks like to have their dignity honored, the conversation falters.

The most common response people offer is that dignity is about respect. To the contrary, dignity is not the same as respect. Dignity is our inherent value and worth as human beings; everyone is born with it. Respect, on the other hand, is earned through one’s actions.

The general lack of awareness about all matters relating to dignity (including my own) inspired me to learn more, write my book, and speak professionally to help organizations, businesses, and associations build a culture of dignity. I changed the way I helped people resolve their conflicts by starting a dialogue with a “Dignity 101” seminar. Before diving into any conflict, I would sit with both sides and teach them lessons in dignity. When people truly understood what they were discussing, it shattered limits on healing their emotional wounds.

After people learn about dignity, a remarkable thing happens. Everyone recognizes that we all have a deep, human desire to be treated as something of value.

Our shared desire for dignity transcends all of our differences, putting our common human identity above all else. While our uniqueness is important, history has shown us that if we don’t take the next step toward recognizing our shared identity, conflicts in our workplace, our personal lives, and between nations will continue to abound.

The glue that holds all of our relationships together is the mutual recognition of the desire to be seen, heard, listened to, and treated fairly; to be recognized, understood, and to feel safe in the world. When our identity is accepted and we feel included, we are granted a sense of freedom and independence and a life filled with hope and possibility. And when are given an apology when someone does us harm, we recognize that even when we fall short of being our best selves, there is always a way to reconnect. “I’m sorry” are two of the most powerful words anyone can utter.

Dignity has the potential to change the world, but only if people like you help to spread its profound message.

Take time every day to remind yourself and those around you the truth about how valuable we all are. In fact, we are born invaluable, priceless, and irreplaceable. Simultaneously, never lose sight of your inherent vulnerability. We all know the gut feeling that results from being mistreated or neglected – it’s up to you to honor other people’s dignity. In the process, you’ll strengthen your own.

Original article