I’m really present to the power of this work, especially as we approach the holidays. Living Room Conversations has helped me listen more deeply to my family when we disagree, and let’s just say that it’s inspired me to travel home for the holidays more often.

Before joining the team at Living Room Conversations, I was really comfortable in my echo chambers of like-minded communities. I didn’t truly value connection across difference, unless of course I got to be right and educate someone about why their position was wrong.

The problem is my family was suffering from political division, disconnection, and nasty Facebook arguments. In fact, things had become so tense that I hadn’t gone home for my family reunion in five years!

This year something shifted. I started to learn the importance of listening to those I didn’t agree with. I finally went home for my family reunion over the summer and had some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had. With the help of Living Room Conversations, I returned home with an open heart to compassion, forgiveness, and deep listening.

This GivingTuesday, we invite you to open your heart to the possibilities of our work. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement based in connection and hope which launched in 2012. This year, GivingTuesday is December 3rd.  Here is how to join us on December 3rd:

• Reflect on what Living Room Conversations means to you now. How has it changed your family life? Friendships? Workplace?
• Consider joining an Online Living Room Conversation and bringing a friend! Find a conversation topic that sparks your curiosity and have the conversation in your living room!
• On December 3rd–we’ll send you an email that morning–share our Giving Tuesday meme with a personal note about what Living Room Conversations means to you.
• And when you share, invite others to join you in making a gift of any size to Living Room Conversations!

Our goal this Giving Tuesday is a 100% increase in the number of donations (of any size) from first-time givers! We’re using this global generosity movement to bring people together across divides by asking them to make a gift. (It’s shown that people who give are more likely to become active in other ways.)

Thanks for your support of our Giving Tuesday campaign!

Brialle Ringer
Communications Partner
Living Room Conversations