One of the most frustrating phenomena I’ve noticed is either-or thinking. So lazy, dangerous, and impractical. People lock into mental frameworks and it has disastrous consequences.

Life doesn’t work like this.

Many things are true at the same time.

Light has both wave and particle qualities.

I served under a DA who supported both abortion rights and the death penalty.  Without commenting on my own beliefs regarding those issues, I agree with the overall approach.  I think every issue should be approached separately and one doesn’t have to be strictly progressive or conservative on everything.  These are intellectually, ethically, and emotionally complex issues.  Those who I’ve trusted with my stances are sometimes surprised at what they are and why.  But here’s my underlying reasoning- the government should be extremely careful and limited in legislating morality and individual rights.  Try growing up in a Muslim country like I did and you’ll understand.

My daughter also argued with her grandfather about the morality of LGBTQ issues. She’s sharp and funny.  

But the key I told her is to be able to hold the tension between opposing views and positions. I taught her that we must love and protect everyone. And many issues are between you and God. And hoped she would find better fights.

A colleague asked me what books I would recommend. I told her I read mainly in two categories – faith and strategy. They seem diametrically opposed but they are related, in so many ways like different sides of a the same coin.

This is really about non-duality – a traditional Taoist concept. It allows for more complexity and connectedness. It actually makes life simpler in a backhand way.

My faith mandates pursuing justice, mercy, and grace. All in some measure and in the proper balance, which is not easy to find or implement.

I told my DA Chief that I could pistol whip someone while reciting poetry. Chief said a rare and useful quality.