A Stronger Kinder Country

 

 
Medium

Many people want to make a difference and the secret to this is not the answer you're probably thinking.    

    Our country is divided. It seems like people are wearing glasses with lenses that only filter in people's differences. Differing opinions people have are seen as unmovable bouncers who check to make sure people’s beliefs match before letting you in. The mindset of “if you’re not like me than you are not welcome. I have seen and heard of these on both sides of Liberal and Conservative. Having this mindset only divides and weakens us. Things do not have to be this way. Through listening, becoming non-judgmental, and seeing our differences as strengths we can become a stronger kinder country.

SCIAM

    In the article "Why listening to people we disagree with can expand our world views". Anna talks about how in the 2020 Presidential election she had conversations she normally would not have gotten the chance to have with her father's caregiver. The caregiver was on the different side of political standpoint as she was. 

    Anna says "While her reasoning didn't convince me to change my vote, I came to understand how my life led me to on my beliefs on who should be president, and her life led to hers.

    The conversations while not changing her opinion gave better inside as to why someone would lean on one way or the other. Sometimes it is easier or more convenient to simply believe that someone is stupid, evil, mean, and all the other ugly things people are saying about each other because of differing beliefs. Again, seen from both sides of Liberal and Conservative. These negative beliefs are not true; we are all human who have had different life experiences that should be shared and listened to. Even if we do not change our minds that is ok, at least we will start seeing each other as human again. 
People

    "We can so easily view people, events and the world around us through a veil of preconceived snap judgements. Maybe you have an opinion about someone and you ‘put them in a box’, as the saying goes. ‘She’s a hippy’, ‘he’s arrogant’, ‘she’s smart’, ‘he’s weird’ – but if we hold onto these mental labels, thinking we ‘know’ someone through these judgements, you know what happens? We never truly meet them again."

    Where does this truly get us??? No where! People are rarely seen for the sum of their parts and only as some of their parts. Two inspiring artiest, sports fans, readers, climbers, you name it are missing out on friendships and community because of their preference in who they voted for. All they see is red or blue and not threw to the beautiful colors of each other's souls and personalities. Can you imagine how much closer so many of us would be if we took off the glasses that only allow the differences to be seen? Soooooo many!!  

The Twelve Steps

    I think we can all agree when I say this country has more problems with it then one can count. How are we going to solve them when we are this divided? If we change our mindsets and see the potential in having all of this diversity in belief, then I think we could come together and solve a lot of the problems we are facing or at least get on the right track.

Which of the two photos below is better?????

RealSimple

   Unless yellow is your favorite color than pretend these are a different color😂

 
    While both are beautiful CLEARLY the bottom photo is the best because there is beauty in the variety. No matter what side you're on, no matter what beliefs you have, if we force everyone to be like us, we will lose the beauty and strength of our differences. Turning into the uniformed boringness of the first photo.

    Often people say, "well it's not that easy" and they are right but not for the reason you think. Changing one's mindset and working on yourself first is far from easy. It takes time, mistakes, and a great effort to change your mindset from judgmental to non-judgmental, from reacting to listening, from seeing our differences as negatives to seeing our differences as strengths. But we all have the capability to do so!

Tenor



    We may all be part of the problem, but we can also all be part of the solution. The biggest difference you can make is within yourself. The ocean is vast, but one drop causes a ripple; it makes a difference. People often romanticize a great battle where one side concurs to save our country, but no one wants to hear that the greatest battle to take place is within yourself first. Kindness for others threw listening, becoming non-judgmental, and seeing our differences as strengths can ripple through our country making it a kinder and safer place for all. 

Not the answer you were thinking, was it?



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