Let Us: Be Love Respect and Listen Together

“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” ~  Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have thought long and hard on what to say and what to write. Typing, then hitting the back space time and time again. I even wondered whether I should say anything at all. I wondered whether it would even help. I have always preferred a reticent approach to politics preferring to focus on quiet action, respect, and love rather then party goals that tend to divide.

Some might say my stance was and is cowardly, but then as a Gemini, I have a hard time getting in the middle of either side. Or maybe that is the problem. I am in the middle because I do see all sides incredibly, yet at times uncomfortably, clearly.

That is what hurts, all sides have valid concerns that were diminished to vitriol monologues that offered nothing except to further drive a wedge between all of us. Literally friends turning on each other. Strangers getting into spats on the web. I was reminded of my mom who use to always tell me,”If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all.” Many times I wondered if people would be brave enough to say all of this, if they stepped out from behind the confines of that conputer screen would they really fan the flames of hatred and discourse they do on social media.

I had hoped and prayed that it would end with the election. In fact I was breathing a huge sigh of relief the day of. Finally no more political posts on Facebook, no more negative advertisements, no more commercials bashing candidates. We could get back to achieving goodness in this country. Of being love. Being kindness.

Unfortunately it has only made things worse.

I understand why. I understand the very valid concerns and worries that a good majority feel right now. I have friends wondering if their marriage will be made obsolete and others who are afraid they will be targeted because of their skin color or religion.

I understand those who felt like they didn’t have a voice this election, like none of the candidates represented them, and they are now being lambasted because they chose another option.

I understand why everyone voted the way they did whether I agree with it or I don’t.  Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone is entitled to their vote. We were all created to be unique. To think differently and act differently from each other. Because those differences are what make us stronger. They are what create change, Give us different ideas to feed off of each other which will lead to a better more innovative and hopefully GOOD LOVING world.

If we learn nothing else from this election, let it be that we MUST start listening to each other. We need to open our hearts more to dialogue. To stop insulating and permit ourselves to be surrounded by those we may not necessarily agree with, but can certainly learn from. And that we do it with respect and with compassion.

I realize this is a lot right now. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and wounds need time to mend. We need to take that time and still attempt to respect each other whilst doing so.

We are all struggling to understand what we feel right now, how we should cope or even move forward. Whether it is because we feel our country has turned its back on us. Whether we are scared or happy or we were resigned either way. Heck some of us want to hide for the next four years, but let us do it together. Let us stop thinking about us or them. Putting labels on groups, or vicious name calling. This surpasses political groups. Let us be the US of A I know we can be. Because whatever happens, we are all in this together. We will weather this all together.

We need to be united more so now, then ever. Let us listen to each other. Respectfully hear and try to understand each other. Feelings aren’t right or wrong. Even anger is understood. But we can not go down the path of hatred, or violence, of ignoring those we disagree with. We must be love. We ARE love. We must, as Ghandi said “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Our similarities are stronger then our differences, even if we have different ways of getting there. Let’s strive to get there. Together. We will be okay, it might take some time, but we will be okay. We just have to do it together.

I love you all. <3