Perspective

9/27/17

As I woke up today, I continued to get hit with a barrage of speculative new and tales of social injustice and victimhood. Tales of political wrongdoings and how terrible politicians are.

Bill Clinton was a liar and philander. Bush lied about WMD’s and started an unjust war. Obama destroyed our race relations and healthcare system. Hilary lied, people died. Trump is racist and his followers are deplorable. Denounce the Nazis and KKK. Antifa and Black Lives Matter are terrorists. All NFL players should stand for the flag or they are unpatriotic. They should be fired. I’ll never watch again.

Meanwhile, the western United States burns in wild fires. Texas and Florida are devastated by hurricanes. Mexico has been rocked by large earthquakes and hundreds are dead.

My Facebook wall is full of outraged news stories about how despicable “so and so” is because they did “x” or didn’t do “y”. If you disagree, you’re an idiot, libtard or snowflake. You’re a racist, misogynist or homophobe.

When did we stop being people? When did we stop being sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, mentors, friends... able to see each others humanity and seek to understand each other?

We are filled with outrage for anything outside our limited, petty bubbles of belief. Many of us have ceased to seek common ground and understanding. We live in a sometimes angry and contentious world as a result.

For once, though, and moving forward. I have a wish.

Life is short. Life is fragile.

STOP!!! Listen to the people around you. Hear their thoughts and perspective. Show them respect. Try to understand. You don’t have to agree, but try to understand. Don’t react in outrage or condemnation. Respond in love and compassion. Leave the name calling at home.

We cannot continue as a nation on this path. We have to change.

Final thoughts, teach love and compassion starting at home. Be respectful of the people around you. It may just give you an opportunity to be heard yourself.

And while you are at it, let your parents, kids, siblings, friends, etc... know you love them and care about them. Give them a big hug and tell them you are proud of them. Life is a fickle thing. You never know how much time you or they have left. CHERISH IT! IT’S A GIFT!!!