The Moral Health Rules of Engagement: A Reparative Approach

Welcome back to the world of Moral Health! Before we begin our transformative journey, which will push us to confront the messiness of moral leadership, the challenges of repairing harm, and the beauty of building more equitable systems, let's establish some ground rules. Here, we don't shy away from the difficult conversations - we dive headfirst into the depths of what it means to be a moral leader and engage in restorative practices. This is a space where everyone is welcome to experiment fearlessly, emerge stronger, and create real, lasting change.

But before we get to some of our norms some exciting news - since our last chat, we've birthed a new and innovative genre called Reparative Memoir. This revolutionary approach blends narrative medicine, restorative justice, reparative reading, and actionable steps for transforming individuals and systems, starting with ourselves.

In the coming weeks, we will explore this groundbreaking genre further and share case studies and thought leadership on moral health. Join us for an engaging and transformative journey. But before we begin, we invite you to explore our first norm.

To make the most out of this journey, we request you embrace a reparative mindset. You may be wondering what that means. Let us explain.

The Power of a Reparative Mindset: Building Bridges in a Divided World

Paranoia, paranoia, everybody's coming to get me. It's a common feeling that many of us experience, especially in today's polarized world. We're quick to judge, quick to criticize, and quick to cancel. But what if we took a different approach? At Moral Health, that's exactly what we strive to do, and it all starts with the reparative mindset.

The reparative mindset, inspired by the refreshing work of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, is a way of approaching the world that seeks to build bridges instead of walls. It calls for us to pause, reflect, and recognize our own biases and defenses, and to make a deliberate effort to understand the viewpoint of those who hold different opinions.

Embracing a reparative mindset can be challenging because it requires pausing, becoming aware of one's own biases and defenses, and intentionally seeking out opportunities to build bridges with those who hold different beliefs or perspectives. It's critical to note that there is a competing mindset that can make this endeavor even more difficult - the paranoid mindset.

The paranoid mindset focuses on finding faults and issues without acknowledging any positives. This approach leads to snap judgments, accusations, and attacks on others without any attempt to understand their perspective. Let's look at an example of an unexpectedly hot-button LinkedIn comment I made last week. To write restoratively, I will not use any of the actual responses, but I will enlist AI to help reimagine what came next.

A key community norm at Moral Health is to make space for different voices and opinions, even if they don't align with our own. It's essential that we learn to listen and understand, even when we don't agree. We don't have to see eye-to-eye on everything, but we must learn to be comfortable in relationships with people who are not like us and still treat them with respect and dignity.

Let’s first look at a paranoid response:

While a paranoid response may offer a momentary sense of satisfaction, it does not actually achieve much apart from the dopamine hit of having a real “zinger”. Paranoid responses tend to be reactive rather than proactive and often focus on assigning blame rather than finding solutions. A paranoid response can often lead to further division and mistrust, making it more difficult to achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, it's essential to approach problems with a clear and rational mindset, focusing on constructive actions that lead to positive change.

On the other hand, the beauty of the reparative mindset is that it allows for disagreement while fostering empathy and understanding. It creates a positive and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and respected, no matter their background or beliefs. When we approach interactions with this mindset, we open ourselves up to transformative change and growth, both individually and as a community.

Now a reparative response:

At Moral Health, we firmly believe that the reparative mindset is essential to create a robust and supportive community that can challenge entrenched systems in healthcare and beyond. So much so it’s our first community norm, and while it may not be easy, it's certainly worth it. By embracing this mindset, we can break down the walls that separate us and work towards a more connected society, where we build bridges instead of burning them.

If you ever feel the paranoia creeping in, pause and reflect on how you can better understand and connect with others. How can you break down barriers and foster meaningful connections? It's important to remember that transformation and healing are possible for both individuals and systems, and it all starts with adopting a reparative approach to how you interact with others. Join us at Moral Health in embracing a mindset of healing and understanding, and let's work together to forge new paths in this divided world.

How to Use Chat Bots to Reimagine Disagreements

Here's an idea: next time you find yourself passionately disagreeing with someone, try engaging with Chat GPT or any other chatbot. Take action by typing in your response and then prompt the chat with a request like "keep my opinion but make it more restorative" or "rewrite this using Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's reparative framework."

By exploring the resulting output, you can gain fresh insights and potentially discover new ways to approach disagreements in a more constructive and collaborative manner. And don't forget to have fun with it!

Give it a try and let me know how it goes - whether it leads to a breakthrough or a laugh, every experience is valuable.

Reflect. Write. Transform: Narrative Medicine Meets AI

Prepare to embark on a contemplative journey as we explore the world of Narrative Medicine and (mostly) AI-generated art. Take a closer look at the artwork below and allow the feelings it evokes to wash over you. What memories and thoughts does it bring to mind?

Select a prompt and take three minutes to reflect and jot down your narrative. Whether you choose to express your thoughts in a journal or share them in the comments, the critical thing is that you take the time to consider the art and what it signifies to you.

AI Art #1

Prompt #1: Describe a time when you experienced a broken relationship, and reflect on what you learned from the experience.

AI Art #2

Prompt #2: Reflect on a time when you approached a situation with a negative, paranoid mindset and the impact it had on your experience.

90s Music Video #3

Prompt #3: Listen to Flagpole Sitta and reflect on a time you had to change who you are to fit in with a particular group or community.

Thanks for stopping by! As you reflect and write, consider sharing your thoughts with a loved one, or a colleague, or posting them below.

Here are three ways to get involved with Moral Health:

* Read and engage with our content by subscribing to our substack.

* Reflect and grow with our narrative medicine prompts, either in your personal journal or by sharing in the comments section below.

* Submit your story or artwork to be featured on the substack and inspire others and be part of shaping a better healthcare future for all.

With love,

Michelle & Moral Health

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moralhealth.substack.com