What do you care about? Do you have friends/family that have opposing beliefs than you do?

When I tell you what I think about something, I am not asking for your approval of it. I am just asking for you to listen, and by listening to someone you care about I hope you think about it and do not dismiss it. Just because you hear what someone is saying it does not mean you are listening. I always try to put myself in another's shoes when they come to me with something they care about because first-person experiences are how we understand a little more about our world.

Agree to disagree. We are all allowed to have our own opinions. So, instead of trying to tell someone they are wrong or verbalize all of your beliefs in a matter of minutes, I believe we need to simply start listening. I value the fact that we are entitled to our own opinions, and I get just as annoyed as the next person when someone is trying to completely change how I live my life or what I care about.

Naturally, if someone tells me one thing, I am going to fight it. (Sorry Dad, but when you tell me to put all the dishes in the dishwasher, my innate instinct is to just leave them in the sink.) This isn't because I can't do it or that I do not think it is the right thing to do, but it is simply because I was told to do it with more hostility than I would have appreciated.

As Americans, the First Amendment is the most important and controversial right we have. It gives us the right to have a say in what happens within us and around us. This is a right, not a privilege, and should be respected as such. I am not saying being ordered to do chores is violating my first amendment right, but I do think we need to consider how we speak and understand others. The hostility in one person will cause hostility in another. Most of the time when you are trying to put how you feel in the perspective of someone else they don't understand and they don't want to know. Make them aware. At least try.

People have a need to talk about how they feel. Venting is a way to allow others to understand what is going on in our lives. It will help no one to shut them down or belittle them. It also only works if you have someone on the other side listening. So listen. Be aware, and care.