Target Audience: General Public
By: Natalie Schrader Gilstrap
"Proximity breeds empathy and dispels fear."
-adapted quote from M. Chandler
This adapted quote has rung ever so true in my life as I have learned more about the world's unique & beautiful people and learned there is so much out there I know nothing about. Much of the fear, ignorance, & confusion I have of certain people groups is DISPELLED when I get close to someone or someone’s culture for the first time to hear & see from their perspective. Proximity truly does breed empathy in our hearts & lives. Noticing, appreciating, and working through what makes us all different is actually what brings unity!
I believe it is important to strive to be aware of needs of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, religions, geographies, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, health concerns, Mental Health concerns, trauma, substance use/recovery, professions, etc. of the people around me in my every day life as the first step of proximity. I have found that there is a direct correlation between growing in awareness of others, growing in awareness of myself, & growing in awareness of my God. As I am humble and honest in identifying structural and personal biases and prejudices in my life, my community, & my country, I am then able to brainstorm ways to move past them with others. Proximity is the first step that helps us work together to create environments that makes each person feel they belong and helps each individual reach their full potential & share their gifts with the world.
Proximity teaches me much about myself- the good, the not so good, the beautiful & the horrible - and cultivates mindfulness, thoughtfulness, & hopefulness in my life. If proximity is not a foundational piece in our lives, we miss so much and deprive the world of needed change and healing in our lives, in our communities, in our work places, in our churches, etc.
May we seek to grow closer to ourselves and to each other.
Stay Mindful, Thoughtful, and Hopeful,
Natalie Schrader Gilstrap, LMSW
Proximity LLC
Intellectual Property of Proximity LLC 2021
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