Just a Thought

Healing the Hurts

 

“Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.”

~President Abraham Lincoln

 

            The presidential election of 2016 is in my recollection the most derisive, splintering and emotionally charged election this nation has faced in generations.  The question of who becomes the next president of the United States will be answered in just a few short days and the burden of whom to choose to represent the ideals and qualities of this nation is up for grabs as people go to the polls to exercise the privilege to express their right to vote.  The purpose and the point of today’s post is not to endorse one candidate over another…the purpose of this post is to address the question as how we, as a country, come together after the election and focus on the business of improving the quality of living for all of us in a safe and free environment.  Whether you support the Green Party, the Democrats, the Libertarians or the Republicans, someone is going to win and I feel the first job for the person, be it male or female will to try and bring healing to the country.

 

            I have my own theories as to how we as a nation have become so fractured and splintered.  I ask why, we as a nation, suffer from lack of hope and lack of trust in our leadership and all I have to answer is speculation and thoughts.  The reality is however, our nation is under so much strain I somedays feel it might burst apart and that would break my heart.  Neighbors and friends have stopped speaking to one another or do so in a distant and chilling manner.  Organizations who provide aide to all are under strain for lack of supplies because of stirred up fear and distrust.  President Roosevelt once said at a time of great national uneasiness that all we had to fear as a nation was fear itself.  Fear perpetuates fear and that fear instills distrust and loathing which ultimately brings calamity.  I know, sounds a bit much.  My point is that throughout all the ultra-polarized political discussions we as a nation are currently having, we need to also be thinking about looking forward and how to find common ground to stand on.  The question I ask of you is how will you move forward to present an open mind in order to listen to dialogue.  I heard a quote and I’m not sure from where it originates but the theme of the statement was along the lines that the idea of compromise means that no one fully gets what he or she wants but compromise usually leads to forward movement and growth. 

 

            I’m not a political expert nor do I wish to be so mired in such a sticky mess but I do care about my fellow humanity.  We humans are a complex creature with a great capacity for kindness and compassion as well as selfishness and cruelty.  No matter what our background we can all elevate ourselves through goodwill towards each other…lift each other up and not beat each other down.  I know some of you will scoff at this enigmatic notion but as I tell my kids, as far as I know, a smile and kindness never hurt anyone. 

 

            How do you hope to help heal a nation?

 

Wm Reid

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