I hate politics. Whenever I say this I'm usually thrown an eye roll as if I'm just someone who doesn't realize the importance of the events going on in the world.
So let me rephrase that, I hate talking about politics.
You know why? Because I hate arguing, and no matter what, the discussion about politics almost always ends in an argument. And for what? So I can go home at night and sleep better knowing I proved to you that my opinion was superior? Or because I listed out all the facts as to why you should think the way I do, just to prove to you how informed I am? Only to follow with listening to you do the same? So instead I choose to keep my mouth shut.
Because you know what? I love hearing your views on a matter. I am all for having discussions to help me understand why it is you think the way you do. I will absolutely try to keep an open mind, but it's very rare that I find people who will do the same.
You are 100 percent allowed to think and believe in a way that is completely different than mine. One thing I will not allow is for you to start a debate on whether your way of thinking is better than my own. So what if it is? We are all naturally inclined to believe our way is the best way, and that's okay. I will accept that you can keep thinking your way, as long as you accept that I will keep thinking mine.
It seems as though it's impossible to go anywhere today without talk of the presidential debate, or the black lives matter protest. I get it, these are all very important events going on in the world right now, but what good is our stressing, arguing, and debating over them going to do?
In the midst of all this chaos and need to prove who's right and wrong, we've forgotten the importance and simplicity of loving our neighbors. It's okay to have an opinion, and to want to discuss recent events, but why are we letting these things control us? At the end of the day, whether your opinion matches up to mine, it isn't going to make or break anything. In fact, it's not going to change the actuality that these events are still going on the exact same way that they were yesterday.
We let these debates control us as if our say in the matter is actually going to change what's going on in the world. I'm not saying that our opinions don't matter, I am saying that we should not let them control us the way we often do. We are holding grudges against innocent people just because they don't see things the way we do. You're not going to cut out your best friend because she's pro 'all lives matter' when you're pro 'black lives matter, are you? No, we are (hopefully) going to respectfully listen to their thoughts because your friendship is too important to destroy over a silly disagreement. Yet we are quick to respond negatively and get defensive to those we may not be so close with.
We as Americans, need to open our ears and our minds. We are not be able to change the events that happen in this world, but we are able to change the way we respond.
"Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel." - Proverbs 20:3
