In today’s episode, I’m talking about what happens when we choose to step closer instead of pulling away. My curiosity recently led me to consume I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt.

One of his quotes totally stopped me in my tracks when I heard it: “Distance breeds suspicion, and proximity breeds empathy” (he credits Brian Lawrence). That one sentence captures SO much of what fuels misunderstanding (and what heals it).

It’s a whole lot harder to stay angry, judgmental, or hateful toward someone when you actually get close to them. When we get curious and learn someone’s story, compassion naturally follows.

Proximity doesn’t mean agreement - it means empathy, grace, and humanity!

In this episode, I cover:

How the book I Take My Coffee Black inspired a deeper reflection for me
The powerful idea that “distance breeds suspicion, and proximity breeds empathy”
How learning someone’s story makes it harder to judge or stay stuck in anger
A personal example of how getting curious & stepping closer changed things for the better
Why proximity doesn’t require agreement, but creates space for empathy & grace

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Find the complete show notes here: https://terryndrieling.com/what-happens-when-we-step-closer

Connect with Terryn:

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Send me an email at terryn@terryndrieling.com

Resources & Links:

I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt (affiliate link)
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Check out my merch shop
Join the waitlist for the Good Movement Collective
Good Movement music by: Aaron Espe
Podcast produced by: Jill Carr Podcasting

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What Happens When We Step Closer Rather than Backing Away