Overview

Television, movies, news, and social media; we're living in a world where we're inundated with stories and information. Yet somehow, instead of learning about each other and coming together, our nation is more divided than ever. Despite our access to facts and information, research indicates that our distrust of others is at a record high. In everyday interactions, we deal with people who seem to be operating in an entirely different reality than us—because they are. In Context is Everything: How to Navigate Life in Multiple Realities, author David James Bright explains how each of us is raised in our own unique context and how that context shapes our identity, narratives, beliefs, and willingness to interpret facts. Bright pulls from his extensive work as a mental health, career, and school counselor to help readers better understand how we create our own social narratives and identities. Through personal anecdotes, real-world examples, case studies, doses of humor, and research, you'll learn how our personal biases and tendencies can affect how we interact with others, especially those with different life experiences or those of different social classes, ethnic backgrounds, sexual identities, or political affiliations. By facilitating greater levels of personal understanding and self-reflection, Context is Everything encourages readers of all backgrounds to recognize our common thread of humanity and to come together despite our varying worldviews and perspectives. The book is an ideal supplementary text for courses in sociology, psychology, and counseling, especially those with focus on human services professional identity, social justice, social constructivism, and capstone experiences.

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9781793556189

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Reviews

Reading Context is Everything is like experiencing a personal counseling session, an inspiring college class, and a long walk with a friend all at once. It's the perfect companion for professional and personal growth! Relatable, useful, and light-hearted, the book is an excellent resource for anyone working to heal and strengthen the relationships we have with ourselves, each other, and the world. By offering a framework for listening and acting according to each person's particular way of understanding a situation, Dr. Bright shows us how to find the common humanity between us all by leading with kindness and love. Kel Morgan, Ed.M., Teachers College, Columbia University Dr. David Bright's new book, Context is Everything, is a must read - especially today! From humorous anecdotes to dynamic stories, Bright uses a plethora of ways to engage and encourage readers to heighten their awareness of how important context is in forming and shaping their own identities and beliefs and the identities and beliefs of others with whom they interact. Bright skillfully challenges readers to start by pointing the finger inward and reflecting on how their own backgrounds and biases are having impact on the relationships they have with family, friends, colleagues, and fellow citizens. There's no doubt in my mind that those who give this book a good read and take an honest look at themselves in ways that Bright suggests will become more open to and respectful of those that hold opposing views and beliefs. Can you imagine what this divided country would look like if everyone did just that? Dr. Robert Orndoff, Senior Director of Career Services, Affiliate Associate Professor of Counselor Education, Trainer/Presenter for Human Resources, Penn State University For both seasoned and beginning counseling professionals, this book is eye opening. There is a great deal of introspection, magnifying how context is actually interwoven into our identities. For those who need self-work and those who don't alike, this book evokes a lot of questions about how we view things and live our lives. Mahmood Al Ma'awali, Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education, Penn State University Context Is Everything surprised me and raised much-needed broad questions in my mind. As I read through this fine work, I wondered: How was David Bright able to write so clearly and delightfully about such complex and necessary issues as worldview, conscious and unconscious perspectives, the impact of social media, and the import of understanding the impact of culture and class? His invitation to experience inner freedom, a radically new sense of openness, and a deeper appreciation of self and others is admirable, especially during these divisive times when truth is unfortunately often held in such low regard. I think most of us want to see life, our own lives, more clearly so we can live with a greater sense of meaning. Context Is Everything can significantly contribute to further advancing this desire and help us to put the wisdom gained into action. Robert J. Wicks, Author of The Tao of Ordinariness and Perspective: The Calm within the Storm

Author Information

David James Bright is an assistant professor of counselor education at the State University of New York, New Paltz. He has experience working as a school, career, and mental health counselor across the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

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