PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Seeking Harmony After The Election In 3 Poems

To get past this week's divisive presidential election – some people are choosing to move forward and work together as a community. So, WUSF News reached out to an expert in conflict resolution for some ideas.

Holy Name Monastery is nestled in the rolling hills of Pasco County. It was founded by the Benedictine Sisters of Florida 127 years ago, and has a tradition of offering a “welcoming hand, kind heart and listening ear” to those who seek harmony with others.

Sister Mary David said a good start is to look inward.

“You need to know yourself first of all," she said. "Why does this bug me?”

The nun is an expert in conflict resolution, with experience teaching students from 2 nd grade to college and suggests that anyone can be open and listen to others.

“That doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, and being respectful, showing the human dignity that you have as a person rather than being a little bratty kid,” she said.

And she added to use the pronoun “we.”

“Each of us has a responsibility to do our best.” And she said that means becoming active and not relying on elected officials for resolution.

In addition to running “ reflection retreats” at the monastery, Sister Mary David is part of the Benedictine Sisters’ Peace and Justice Campaign.

And, she’s a poet who agreed to share three of her poems written on election night.

You Have a Choice

Sister Mary David reads here poem "You Have a Choice"

After the Election Sister Mary David reads her poem "After the Election"

Seeking Harmony After The Election In 3 Poems

CommUNITY Sister Mary David reads her poem "CommUNITY"

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7.

Sister Mary David next to the watercolor painting of the first Holy Name Monastery.
Bobbie O'Brien / WUSF Public Media
/
WUSF Public Media
Sister Mary David next to the watercolor painting of the first Holy Name Monastery.

Seeking Harmony After The Election In 3 Poems

Interior of the chapel at the Benedictine Sisters of Florida Holy Name Monastery.
Bobbie O'Brien / WUSF Public Media
/
WUSF Public Media
Interior of the chapel at the Benedictine Sisters of Florida Holy Name Monastery.

Seeking Harmony After The Election In 3 Poems

The Holy Name Monastery retreat sits on 100 acres in Saint Leo, FL.
Bobbie O'Brien / WUSF Public Media
/
WUSF Public Media
The Holy Name Monastery retreat sits on 100 acres in Saint Leo, FL.

Bobbie O’Brien has been a Reporter/Producer at WUSF since 1991. She reports on general news topics in Florida and the Tampa Bay region.