Do you feel it? The tension? It's everywhere right now.
And I don't think it's just politically charged.
As someone who struggles with moderation, with putting things into boxes, with labeling and categorizing... I feel a heightened awareness when others are struggling with the same thing. I feel like everyone I talk to, see on Facebook, encounter in the grocery store, is struggling.
The challenge is living simply, kindly, and then making our own stories known and our personal opinions known and our choices known, without making the rest of the world feel like their choices are bad. Wrong. Not good.
For example... I won't go into my own politics {though if you have seen the bumper of my car, you are probably fully aware of who I support...} but lets just say that my father and I disagree on politics. Totally. Probably forever will. But ultimately, even though we vote differently, at the end of the day we still love and respect each other.
That's the piece that I feel is getting left behind all too often.
In the end, love each other.
Give each other grace.
Your choices are yours, they are not right for everyone.
Your political opinion is yours, it is not right for everyone.
Your way of feeding your family is right for your family, it is not right for everyone.
Your values are yours, they are not right for everyone.
Your way of parenting is right for your family, it is not right for everyone.
Your way of educating your children is right for your family, it is not right for everyone.
The bigger picture? We need to give each other grace. We need to absolutely acknowledge and respect ourselves and others as individuals, but still need to come together at the end of the day with love and kindness towards humanity.
Love each other, people. Please don't forget.
Today we are linking up at Hyacynth's... will you join us?
Y. E. S.
ReplyDeleteWell said. This is a rant that happens in my head. Often. It's a shame how we can become even hesitant to 'be' ourselves...and share ourselves out of fear of labeling, categorizing, stereotyping...It's no wonder this generation of kids is having such a tough time with simple kindnesses in the growing up years!
ReplyDeleteYes. Give grace. And love. So beautifully said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGrace in the struggle. YES.
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's interesting, coming back to the States, I notice a lot more of the *mean* things people say to each other. And the funny thing is, it's often said in irony or jest...like the purpose of every statement is to be as mean as possible and still be funny. It might just be true of the particular group of people i've been around, many of whom have lived a significant amount of time in NY. Or maybe it's a subtle consequence of this tension you're talking about. But sometimes I get the feeling that funny is appreciated more than nice...and that people can even be put off when, instead of making a joke at someone's expense, you just genuinely compliment them or are interested to know more about them (as opposed to just waiting for your next turn to speak).
ReplyDeleteI am all about grace. Mostly because I need it so very much myself. I have that side of it down pat. But showing grace to others? I don't have that part perfected just yet.
ReplyDeleteAmen! (Said loud and clear from this swing-state resident.) ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder. Speaking truth in love ... our words are powerful, indeed. May our hearts, my heart be filled with grace so that the overflow of it comes from my lips. That's my prayer right now.
ReplyDeleteoh, i feel it, too. and my man and i differ greatly from our parents in our political views as well. we tend to avoid discussing things too much. not because disagreeing is bad but because i just can't handle the constant debate.
ReplyDeletebe safe with this storm, my lady. i'm not sure where, exactly, you are in relation to it but i'm hoping *everyone* is out of harm's way.
xo
My mom and I had a conversation on this topic yesterday. I mentioned how happy I was to be out of the US for a while and not being inundated by the constant wave of negativity that seems to be everywhere right now.
ReplyDeleteI have this intense wish/prayer that we could all just start focussing on our similarities instead of our differences.