How to Keep Going When Things Get Hard | Bryan Stevenson
Jan 5, 2024
auto_awesome
Bryan Stevenson, a renowned public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, shares powerful insights from his fight for justice. He discusses the importance of 'proximity' to marginalized communities and how it fosters understanding. Stevenson emphasizes the role of mindfulness, music, and exercise in maintaining personal resilience. He also highlights the necessity of compassion in overcoming hatred and navigating fear. Through stories of collective memory and personal faith, he encourages listeners to engage actively in the pursuit of equality and justice.
Being proximate to those experiencing injustice allows for a deeper understanding, influencing strategies and approaches to fighting for justice.
Mindfulness of one's thoughts, feelings, and motivations fuels creative and empathetic responses when facing challenging goals or addressing social issues.
Kindness, compassion, and generosity are powerful tools for creating positive change and connection, even in the face of conflict or polarization.
Deep dives
Importance of Proximity and Connection
Brian Stevenson emphasizes the importance of being proximate to the people, communities, and places where challenges and injustices manifest themselves. He believes that to truly make a difference and understand a situation, one must be close to those experiencing injustice. Stevenson shares that by being close to the marginalized, the poor, the disfavored, and the incarcerated, he gains a deeper understanding of their needs, priorities, and abilities, which influences his strategy and approach to fighting for justice. Proximity allows for a more personal and compassionate connection, revealing hidden insights and possibilities for a better way forward.
Fueling Conviction with Mindfulness
Stevenson highlights the importance of being mindful of one's thoughts, feelings, and motivations while tackling challenging goals or addressing social issues. He believes that our ideas and problem-solving abilities should be fueled by conviction in our hearts, in addition to being informed and strategic. Stevenson shares that being aware of and staying connected to one's emotions, especially when faced with situations lacking a clear path or solution, allows for creative and empathetic responses. By cultivating a balance between the mind and the heart, one can navigate through obstacles, finding inspiration and energy to persevere in making a difference.
Practicing Kindness and Compassion
Stevenson stresses the power of kindness, compassion, and generosity in creating positive change and connection. He encourages expressing genuine care and empathy towards others, even in the face of conflict or polarization. Stevenson believes that practicing acts of transformation, seeking understanding, and transcending divisions is essential, especially in our present polarized society. He acknowledges the difficulty but suggests that by focusing on what unifies us rather than what separates us, we can cultivate hope, foster meaningful relationships, and work towards a better future.
Practicing Kindness and Compassion as a Path to Happiness
Kindness and compassion are not just empty ideals, but rather a form of wise selfishness that can lead to personal happiness. The Dalai Lama promotes the concept of wise selfishness, arguing that being kind and compassionate towards others is in one's own self-interest. Scientific research also supports this idea. Acts of compassion and kindness bring powerful emotions and affirming experiences, giving hope and serving as a superpower for individuals. Engaging with other people and creating relationships based on compassion and kindness yields positive outcomes and allows one to overcome fear and anger, which are essential ingredients of injustice and oppression. In a time when fear and anger are prevalent in society, cultivating hope and promoting kindness and compassion is crucial for a better world.
The Power of Faith and Service in Overcoming Fear and Anger
Faith and service can provide inner strength and community support to realize transformative visions. Brian Stevenson shares how his faith sustains him and makes him feel connected to a larger purpose. He reflects on the prayers of his ancestors, who faced slavery and discrimination, and how their faith played a significant role in his journey. Stevenson emphasizes the importance of believing in something beyond what is seen, as it instills hope and shapes relationships based on compassion and love. Overcoming fear and anger is essential for societal transformation, as they perpetuate injustice and violence. By countering fear and anger with faith, compassion, and service, it is possible to create a more compassionate and just world.
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.
---
Have you already bailed on your resolutions? Where are you on your other life goals? This episode is a master class on sticking with it, no matter what.
Bryan Stevenson is a public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated, and the condemned. He is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, based in Montgomery, Alabama—an organization that has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, as well as reversals, relief, or release from prison for over 140 wrongly condemned prisoners on death row. He is the author of the bestselling memoir Just Mercy, which was made into a feature film, and the subject of an HBO documentary, True Justice. He is also a MacArthur “Genius,” a graduate of Harvard Law School, and a recipient of over 50 honorary doctoral degrees from institutions like Yale, Princeton, and Oxford University.
In this episode we talk about:
Bryan’s “non-negotiables,” including exercise, music, and mindfulness
The necessity of “proximity”
How he manages fear, anger, and hatred
How he cultivates hope and faith in the face of overwhelming odds
