Feb 21st, 2022: Understand Others' Thoughts, Values, Beliefs and Origins

 

Mr. Trudeau shared an account of an incident he experienced with his father while delivering the eulogy at his father's funeral. He was with his dad, who was the Prime Minister at the time, in the cafeteria of the Parliament when he showed disrespect jokingly toward one of the chief rivals of his father. His dad corrected him sternly: "Justin, we never attack the individual. We can be in total disagreement with someone, without denigrating them as a consequence." His father then took Justin to introduce him to this man. The man was the Opposition Leader. They had a brief talk. He then summarized the lesson he learned from his dad on that day: “Because simple tolerance, mere tolerance, is not enough. We need genuine and deep respect for each and every human being, notwithstanding their thoughts, their values, their beliefs, their origins." He went on to say: “That’s what my father demanded of his sons, and that’s what he demanded of his country.”

Respect for every human being: Have you ever thought that if you came out, talked, and listened to these truckers, this whole convoy would have left Ottawa a lot sooner? Your disrespect for your people is an ultimate disrespect for your father and his life lesson to you.

You might try to understand their thoughts, values, beliefs, and origins. You have looked down on people because they disagree with you. Your father would take you by the hand and take you to them. You might discover that these folks are fathers, mothers, and decent members of their communities. They work hard to take care of their families. They work hard to contribute to the well-being of this nation.

As your father demanded that you show respect for all people, this nation now demands that from you. Your father knew that respect for others would make you a better leader. The people of Canada demand that you show respect for those opposed to you because that will make us a lot stronger as Canadians. 

It is time to scrap the Emergencies Act. The right thing to do is to bring about healing for our people. It is time to make your father proud.

1 Corinthians 13: 11 

"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things."

Proverbs 14: 10

"There is a way which seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death."