Boxes serve many purposes. They provide structure and organization. They can hold valuable items. But boxes can be traps, also. when you get stuck inside your box, you start to think your box is better than others because you won't take the time to appreciate the difference's in other's boxes. And when you're stuck inside, it's hard to grow. If you're not willing to visit neighboring boxes, like a potted plant, you won't grow to your full potential.

I see political parties like boxes, full of structure, organization and value. But it's too easy for people to get trapped in those political boxes, stunting their growth as a critical thinker. They're wasting their breaths trying to convince people why their thinking is right, when they're just bashing the other person. So stop trying to fight others, and learn how to do a respectful debate when someone's political standing is different.

Like I said, political parties have a lot of value. They are deeply rooted in the structure of our country, emphasizing that everyone is entitled to an opinion. Follow those whose agendas line up with your opinions, take care of your family, and make sense for your way of living. Be proud to be Republican, or be proud to be a Democrat. Be proud to be neither. You even have the freedom to disagree with those who have different beliefs than you. But don't use pride and disagreement as an excuse to be arrogant and bigoted when people disagree. Bashing the other party for their way of doing things is no better child throwing a fit that their parents are making them eat vegetables when all they want is candy.

The takeaway from this: be respectful about people's differences, even if they're wrong.

Despite how crazy the other person sounds, you don't need to feed the craziness with more craziness. Do yourself a favor. When someone makes you angry, step back for a second and take a big breath. Then state facts to back up your reasoning for disagreeing. This will let other people see where you're coming from, and why you believe what you believe.

They will respect your differences. And if they don't, you can just laugh, and say "okay." You still get to keep your opinions, and you don't waste your breath on an imminent fight. They will either realize they sound ridiculous, or you will stand out from the crowd of crazy political ranters by being intelligent about your debate.

Remember the golden rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

If you want to fight with someone who doesn't disagree with you, have fun. But if you really want to make a difference, get out of your political box before it causes a literal boxing match.

For every crazy Republican, Democrat or otherwise there is an equally crazy counter part. But at the end of the day, everyone is more than their political party. Each person has a meaningful back story, whether or not you believe it's a good meaning. We have to learn to respect other's differences and work through the differences as a team, like our military does to protect our country.

We can only get things accomplished when we learn to work together.

If a 4 year old can understand this concept, certainly adults should be able to learn.