It's been a monumental week for LGBTQ+ rights
On LGBTQ+ discrimination, NYC updates, challenging our perceptions, income disparity, coaching advice, and keep going...
Hi friend!
This has been quite a week.
We had three major LGBTQ+ cases go up against the Supreme Court this week regarding discrimination in the workplace. Two cases involve sexual orientation and one case with gender identity. The main argument is whether or not "sex" includes sexual orientation and sexual identity as part of Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans sex discrimination in employment. (CNN has a great summary)
A few things:
One, this is the first time that the words "transgender" is being uttered in the highest courts of the United States. This is huge in itself. Regardless of what happens, this is a movement forward for transgender folks getting the recognition they deserve.
Two, this is a significant ruling that will impact LGBTQ+ people everywhere, especially in currently unprotected states. Only 23 states (including DC) have sexual orientation and/or gender identity protections in place.
Three, I struggle to see the counter arguments and benefits of NOT protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. Why are employers focused on sexual orientation and gender identity over merit?
People just want to do good work, make money, and live their own version of the American dream. The fact that we have so many people fighting day-after-day to take this basic fundamental right away from others is sad and downright embarrassing. I wish for the best regarding this case in 2020...
In lighter news, updates from the big apple:
Still hunting for homes, but all I have are hilarious stories. (Broad City captures the essence of apartment hunting in NYC)
Discovered a week of free coworking spaces via Croissant (NYC has so many places open late night and weekends)
I should take one fitness class first before signing up for an unlimited intro offer. (Signed up for two weeks at a Bikram studio, and all I smelled was body odor in my first class. Lesson learned.)
Realized that my absolute favorite ramen shop in NYC is now a franchise with 10 locations (It was too delicious to stay small...)
(I wrote an Instagram post about fixing my shoes. Yes, really.)
Challenging our perspective is essential
Halassa's findings indicate that the brain casts extraneous perceptions aside earlier than expected. "What's interesting," said Ian Fiebelkorn, a cognitive neuroscientist at Princeton University, is that "filtering is starting at that very first step, before the information even reaches the visual cortex."
Information gets pre-filtered before we even perceive it. Our personal preference, past experiences, conscious and unconscious bias all play a part in this filter.
When we don't do self-work or establish a regular introspective practice, the world as we know it is only our own reality. When we rage about someone or become depressed about something, it's most likely our own personal filter at work. We see what we want to see.
With this understanding, what is the logic behind expecting people or things to change? Perhaps the deeper root of the problem started with us and our filters? When we haven't put in the time to understand ourselves deeply, we are volatile beings living in our own personal fantasy.
Without self-inquiry, we're no different than the homeless woman shouting to herself in the street. Except, we're screaming in private. We're accosting our friends, family, partner because they don't see the world as we do.
Instead of going after others, focus on the root: our biases. Challenge it from time to time and try to see the world from a different perspective.
How rich are you?
Bloomberg recently published a Net Worth Index to categorize wealth. What's great about their categorization is that it allows us to to rank ourselves and compare ourselves with the income disparity deepening around the world.
I was at level 3 when I graduated from college, and I am currently at level 5. It's just unbelievable that with a net worth below $10,000 (level 3), there are still 1.5 billion people with net worth far less. A mindful reminder that many of us are far more fortunate than most of the world.
A must-read for coaches and managers
Michael Bungay Stanier's The Coaching Habit breaks down questions and methods of inquiry when we are helping others. The book is a relatively quick read and has so many useful insights and questions to incorporate into discussions.
Keep on going…
"Amateurs wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work" -Stephen King
As always, thanks for reading!
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Have a beautiful day!
Metta (loving-kindness),
Steven
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