I don’t know about you, but I’ve been watching politics for a very long time now. Truth be told, I’m a bit of a political junkie. I’ve watched all of it’s proceedings very closely. Through all of its ups and downs, twists and turns, and down-right ugliness, I’ve quietly but very intently tracked everything that has been going on. I’ve felt so many emotions with it all, including complete confusion.
I have purposely kept politics off of the blog. I want everyone who visits to be brought to a safe, inspiring, and positive place. My own views of things have evolved as well, so I’m glad I didn’t spout here one day when I was feeling a bit frustrated with it all. But I am going to talk about a certain aspect of it today. It’s really a simple hope and point of view that can spread, regardless of the outcome…..some might even call it a plea.
You see, I come from a certain background. A rather unique background.
So do you.
The most disheartening thing about this election hasn’t been the political views that contrast with mine. It has been the way fellow Americans have sat behind the safety of their computer screens and their fake names, berating each other for their points of view. If words were actual fist blows, we’d have one heck of a bar fight! In the end, it just made me sad that we could treat each other so.
I’m going to vote today. Hopefully you are too. I’ve had experiences that prompt me to do so….very specific experiences.
So do you.
Who am I to say that you are doing something wrong, when it’s your livelihood and quality of living you are fighting for? I’m doing the same. At the end of the day, don’t you think we all need to respect each other? It doesn’t mean we will agree on key points for the future of this country. It just means I need you and you need me. As important as it is to choose the next president, he’s only one man. Flawed, just like the rest of us. Trying to do huge things. In the end, whatever does happen, all that matters is what I do after.
What you do.
In the end, governments aren’t that powerful at all (I guess that reveals my politics, huh). It’s the way you and I shape the future….not them. It’s our own personal accountability and kindness that will determine our fate. How we forge ahead. I don’t know about you, but I want to find common ground. To all my conservative friends: not all liberals are lazy or philosophers with a total unawareness of real life. To my liberal friends, conservatives are not uneducated or uncaring. The extremes have been played on both sides. To each of you, all I ask is that we stop degrading each other. There is much to do, and we can all make great things happen in our own small way.
Will you join me? Will you fight to find the good in others, instead of all that ails them (even the government officials- heaven forbid!!)? We’re all a pretty good mix of good and bad, and the only way I’ve been lifted higher is when someone saw my good.
In my pursuit of all that is better, I have decided to switch up my Tuesday posts. They’ve been very random….usually I’ve featured fun products I’ve seen or cool websites. I’ve always hoped they would point someone to something they couldn’t find before. But after stewing over this post for awhile, and about who I am, I want to turn Tuesdays into something more than products. Marie Forleo tweeted this thought from C.S. Lewis the other day, and it finalized my decision….
“You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”
I believe that with all my heart. And my soul is sometimes neglected. When I get a dose of something that’s good for it, I am lifted higher. So I want to share all that has fed me in hopes that it will lift you. Not in a specific religious sort of way, because I believe truth is everywhere. In a way I hope touches anyone from any background. So please join me here Tuesdays (of course, you are welcome all of the other days as well….I work hard on bringing the best to this blog) and happy voting! Do what your heart tells you is right, then reach out to your neighbor, even if they believe in something different than you……..
I cannot believe that the election has come to an end….and now we can begin again.
Not having power for a week, no internet, cable, phone made me feel powerless. I think that was enough to remind me how each of us needs to be heard. Just voting is not enough.
pve