Having the opportunity to write for the odyssey has been an amazing experience. However, one thing I have found challenging is that when something huge happens in our world, I automatically gravitate towards that event. I think about how I can write an amazing article that will talk about the event. This becomes a problem because thousands of other writers have the same idea as me. It is really hard to compete and have a stand out article.

I watched the election this week, like many Americans. When I found out the results, I had an idea to write an article about the election at first and what that means for our country, the church, and myself personally.

If I am being honest, there are so many people giving their opinions about this election, and I think it is more fitting for me to listen rather than try to burden people with what I think.

As I have gone on social media this week, I have contemplated deleting my accounts because it is toxic to my mind. People are writing their opinions all over the internet without any respect. Good friends are now enemies because of a difference in opinion.

I do not want to talk about the election. This isn't because I don't think it's important, because it is. I simply want to speak about what I am struggling with.

What to say when you don't know what to say:

Simply Listen

This generation really needs to work on our ability to listen. When big things happen, so many of us go to Facebook to post our opinion just to gain likes and the approval of others. However, if someone does not agree, we automatically attack.

What if we just started to listen to, you know, actually listen? What if we stopped immediately responding and just listened?

This is something I myself have a hard time doing, but I am going to work on it. Can you imagine if we all started listening to one another not to respond but to hear each other out? Love would abound in our world, and social media would look way different.

Be Silent

As important as it is to listen to others, It is also important to get to a quiet place process through what we are struggling with and how we are feeling. In order for us to listen well, we need to get in touch with our own passion so we can open up ourselves to other people's stories. Most of us do not want to be silent in a room by ourselves, but I think it is worth it.

Just Be

When you don't know what to say or how to respond to situations; just be. Be there to listen people, be there to be a friend, be there for a shoulder to cry on, be there to be what someone else needs. When you don't know what to do, just be in this world. It is amazing how many people do not need someone to talk they just need someone to be willing to be with them.

. Responding to things is difficult; let's enter into those difficult places by doing these three simple things.