2016 has been full of loss and division. The spectrum moves from police brutality, some of the world's favorite icons passing away, LGBTQ rights, terrorism, religious freedoms, protests (and what it means to do it "right") and this joke of a presidential election. If you can name it, it's probably gone wrong or is well on it's way to doing so. I find myself looking at articles and seeing the news and viewing what's going on as things out of my reach or "larger than life."

I live a comfortable life in Birmingham, AL so when things are going mad in the world around me, it's easy for me to log on to FaceBook, find and share an article supporting what I think represents my beliefs or feelings on the issue the best, and then log off and forget about it. It is "out of sight, out of mind" manifested in my own life.

But what about when it's not?

What about when the buildings being set on fire and the riots happening are right outside your front door? What about when your family is the family grieving the loss of their son in Benghazi and wrestling with the "why's?" What if your family is the one hiding in fear from harmful and threatening rhetoric being spewed by politicians? What if you're the one who sees police lights and your heart sinks not because you're afraid of a speeding ticket but because you're afraid for your life? What if you're the first responder who is growing increasingly afraid to wear the badge because of some not understanding the delicate balance between power and protection? For these people, it's never out of sight and it is never out of mind.

The United States is - politically and socially - in a state of mass chaos. There is little to no consistency and most of us are struggling to find peace of mind in the midst of it all. People don't like to be confused or "floating." We like to have our solid fundamental beliefs and to feel like we fully understand (even though we really can't). So, how do we do this?

We pick a side.

Democrat or Republican. Police or Black Lives Matter. Christians or Atheists. Colin Kaepernick or the Flag?

I use the last example intentionally to make the point that there is an actual worldwide dividing-our-country argument about what is more important: standing up for 3 minutes or the life, feelings, and concerns of an actual human being.

I have to wonder when we came to the conclusion that picking sides and making cut and dry lines between beliefs would resolve anything. It's as if we have these plans to retreat into these barracks of opinion that we have created for ourselves and our likeminded acquaintances and live there until 1. it all goes away or 2. we die. What kind of way to live is that?

Forgive the liberal arts student in me, but there is nothing more enriching and beautiful about life than the differences within it. I get so tired of being around people who think just like me all of the time and quite frankly, I get so tired of thinking the same way all of the time. People learn and they grow from differing opinions and having the hard conversations. Those conversations that, almost too easily, transition into debates are the ones that will help you to learn and to grow in your own knowledge and opinions. It forces you to let your walls of stubborn emotion down and experience empathy.

Stop trying to build walls (literally and metaphorically) to keep people out. Even when it's different and it scares you, let that in and hope that somebody lets you in too. When we all take a minute to put our pride - in our political party or our stance on social justice - behind us, we can only begin to understand the thoughts of those around us, and come to a compromise or instill some feeling of hope and understanding in one another. Only then can we move forward and start living.

If you know me at all, it won't surprise you that I am pushing the message of loving people and striving for kindness toward all people to find the progress this nation is so desperately seeking.

Dabo Swinney (head football coach at Clemson) put it this way when addressing the Kaepernick situation. No matter what you believe, love wins.

"...Love your neighbor as you'd love yourself.' It doesn't say love your neighbor from the same religion. It doesn't say love your neighbor if they're the same color as you. It doesn't say love your neighbor if they pull for the same team as you. It doesn't say love your neighbor if they're the same gender as you, or whatever. It doesn't say love your neighbor if they have the same sexuality as you. It just says, love your neighbor as you'd love yourself. If we all lived by that in this country, we wouldn't have near the problems we have."