Politically, 2016 has been...interesting? Difficult? Embarrassing? Progressive? Disgusting? Uncomfortable? Historic? A shit storm? All of the above maybe? I dunno. I normally don't speak about my political views. It just causes a huge issue between people, and it's a headache I do my best to avoid. Same thing goes for racial issues at times. Amongst my family, and close friends I'm usually okay with going into discussions about my opinions because regardless of what my stance is I know that they love me. We can agree, disagree, and even if we don't have the same views we are respectful of each other. I enjoy that. But when you vocalize something to the masses, especially over social media, it seems that people take things extremely personal.
I get that a lot of bloggers, online personalities, and celebrities constantly share their lives with us. They put themselves front and center for the most part so whatever reaction is brought out from the viewers/readers is on them. This past week though...I was so disappointed. I felt embarrassed for Americans as a whole. There was so much hate, y'all. Name calling, finger pointing, and down right mean things being slung back and forth. BY PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES. I had already started a social media cleanse a few weeks before, but this week's election made me not want to ever get back on. It was a bit disheartening to be honest. And I felt that our society was showing the world just how ugly we could be towards each other. How nasty, cruel, and low we could all stoop.
I've learned to be able to read, or follow along without taking things personally. I read several blogs with authors that support abortion, and those that don't. I follow along with people who are part of or support the LGBT community as well as those who don't/aren't. I know Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians. I respect different beliefs as long as they aren't hurting anyone, and even when they don't align with my own. That's not to say that I don't get passionate about things, or strongly feel that something is either right or wrong. But I don't shove it down someone's throat, and I don't call people ignorant, uneducated, or dumb just because we are at a disagreement. That's just silly, and reveals just how low the person hurling the insults can go. Which is sad really. I think that people need to take a step back, and really focus on tolerance. But true tolerance. Not this half-assed "You need to be tolerant, but only about the things that I view as right/true because if you believe otherwise then it's wrong and you're stupid." Being able to listen to someone, try to understand a bit of where they are coming from, and then to simply say "Agree to disagree" if it's different from your own views is a beautiful thing. I feel that it shows maturity, and open mindedness. Then again I'm sure there's someone out there who thinks I'm stupid for believing this, and is yelling for me to shove my opinions up my own ass because I'm dumb. So there's that. I hope they have a lovely day though! And I'm not trying to say that I'm always this unbiased, tolerant person either. Trust me I have had some choice words of my own when things got heated, and looking back some of those were not proud moments. Some, I would say again in a heartbeat. That's me being flawed, and I get that it's a bit hypocritical.
I guess what I really wanted to express in this post is that my take away from this whole ordeal is that we have a long way to go, on all sides. We aren't perfect, which makes us human, but we ALL have a lot to learn. Sure this was a setback for some, and a leap forward for others. And I get that for some this election felt as if the times were being set back, and for others it meant that traditional values were being held high. I get it. But Presidents come and go. We as a nation will suffer, and we'll progress MANY times during our existence. Wherever you stood on Tuesday just know that this world, this time, is constantly changing. The people in office, the people in our lives, will always be changing. Rules, laws, and positions will always change. Our country, the leaders we have, will set us back and push us forward. But it will always change. Revolve. How we feel today will be so different eight years from now. That's just life. I'm just happy to be in a country that allows us to vote. That has food, water, and jobs that allow me to provide for my family. I'm grateful for the medicine, the hospitals, and the doctors we have access to regardless of whether we have insurance or not. I do (my employer pays), but my family doesn't (Obamacare cost too much) for those that think I'm only saying this because we have insurance. I'm thankful to live in a country that will allow me to express my opinions without fear of being jailed or killed. But most importantly, I'm grateful to be a part of country that will constantly be changing. That even with setbacks there will be lessons and growth.
There's enough negative, and bad bullshit in this world. I don't want to spread anymore of that. So, if you voted: good for you. If you didn't: maybe next time? If you hate Hillary: that's okay. If you hate Trump: that's okay too. If this election held the outcome you wanted then congratulations. If this wasn't what you had hoped for then learn from this, and kick into action for the next go around. If you're scared just know that everything is going to be okay. If you're excited: I hope that this next leader makes you proud to have voted for him. Celebrate the fact that people with so many different backgrounds, and with so many different beliefs are allowed to reside in one nation. But above all else, be kind to one another. Love each other. We are only here for a short time.
