In the past year, I showed up and visited 56 counties, engaging with thousands of Coloradans through town hall meetings on various topics like the Kroger/Albertsons merger, the opioid epidemic, youth mental health, water protection, public safety initiatives, and more.

A newspaper op-ed, “Train Yourself to Show Up,” by Rabbi Sharon Brous, powerfully explained the spiritual importance and value of showing up and listening, stating that being human means, “I hold your broken heart knowing that one day you will hold mine.” 

A friend’s recent advice along these lines resonates with this: don’t give back; give first.  Talking to parents who have endured the loss of kids to opioid overdoses or to suicide has highlighted Rabbi Brous’ observation that “small, tender gestures remind us that we are not helpless, even in the face of grave human suffering.” In essence, showing up with empathy matters.

Rabbi Brous also emphasized the importance of honoring our national credo—e pluribus unum, meaning “out of many, we are one.”  As she put it, “one of the great casualties of tribalism is curiosity.”  Too often, people make judgments—or even demonize others—because of perceived affiliations. Rather than make judgments, we must work to listen to one another, learn with a spirit of curiosity, and work together to heal our world.

In Colorado, we care about one another, and we work together to solve problems.  And we are holding onto the value held dear by Justice Ginsburg, exemplified by her relationship with Justice Scalia—that we can listen to and learn from one another respectfully, even when we disagree. That’s why we sponsored the Ginsburg-Scalia Initiative and created civic education materials to advance this value.