Hostility. Relief. Anger. Shouting. Joy. More anger. Smiles. Stunned disbelief. Deep breath. Protest rallies. Flags waving. An overwhelming sense of “What just happened?” or “Thank God!”
This is the temperament of the USA right now. It has been a weird few weeks. I have been sitting back and reading the various news sources and watching as President Trump has slashed his way through the government. Some of his decisions I love. Others I think, well, not sure about that.
Here’s what I want to talk about. We are a great nation, a nation that has gone through struggles during the entire 250 years we have been a country. And we always muddle through. What I love about our republic is that we dust ourselves off and continue on.
We are a nation that is split pretty much 50/50.
I am not going to discuss politics. What I want to talk about is relationships. I have lost friends – and possibly family members – who don’t agree with me politically and I think our relationship might be over. Which breaks my heart because I love them.
I have had friends who don’t agree with me politically, but we agree to disagree and just have fun and don’t discuss politics.
And I have friends who are willing to have healthy conversations about the state of our nation and we listen to each other without criticism or judgment. It’s really cool!
In a prior post I shared that my church participated with a local synagogue with “Red meet Blue” and we discussed various topics. When talking with a member of the synagogue, who was on the blue spectrum (I am red), we discovered that we weren’t that far apart and when talking with each other we learned so much about each other’s opinions and we got it! It was great!
I also had a delightful email dialog with a friend last summer, when he explained to me why he thought the way he did. While I didn’t agree with some of his viewpoints, I supported a lot of his thoughts and was grateful that we took the time to listen to each other.
I hope as we move into a new administration, we can listen to each other, respect each other, and learn from each other and not end friendships. Share your thoughts. Share your info. Engage in healthy dialog. But don’t hate those who are on the other side of the pendulum.
I cherish all of you. I welcome dialog. I’m still learning.
Musings About Life 
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for sharing your candid viewpoints. Please allow me to share mine. As an educator who works with special needs children and their families – my heart is breaking. As a psychologist who has invested a lifetime making a difference in the lives of children’s mental health- my heart is breaking. As a person not of Christian faith- my heart is breaking. As a woman and mother of a daughter- my heart is breaking. As a citizen of what WAS the land where people were welcome despite their differences – my heart is breaking. I absolutely abhor what is happening around us due to the change of the “administration.” I have nothing but fear. I would love to be able to just take a moment to breathe and be hopeful. But then the next ridiculous revelation is announced – via a media organization that is not official and censors their users. The people “in charge” couldn’t get a license to teach in California, but are the “engineers” of the runaway train we all seem to be on. I just wish that people had heeded the warning signs long before the election. And, if people are in agreement with what is happening in our country and the impact it is having with the rest of the world – then I just am at a loss as how to respond.
Thank you for your time and for reading.
Louise
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Louise, while I was trying to stay out of making this about politics, I respect you and your opinions and decided to post your very thoughtful comment. I know despite some political differences we will remain friends. And I hear you.
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Good morningPerfect….so well said and written!
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