The human experience is a unique one. We all have these unique personalities coupled with different opinions and life experiences and worldviews and we are living in the same space as one another – co-existing and co-living. Sometimes, those opinions hurt one another, especially when we speak them out loud. Sometimes, our actions have the indirect impact of harming someone. And sometimes, we are left to wonder — what next?
It is no secret that this election has dragged our country through the depths of darkness. I shared this yesterday and the sentiment remains today.
Hard at clutching to our opinions so deeply.
Hard at sacrificing relationships.
Hard at using statuses as weapons.
Hard at sharing misconstrued information.
Hard at using words that we try to tell our children are off-limits.
Hard at digging ourselves deeper and deeper into division.
Hard at remaining steadfast in our truth, regardless of the consequences.
And because of these things, on this day, we have made the job of raising our children to choose kind inexplicably harder. It is not a woman or a man that have divided us. It is not a political race, an election season, or a series of hot button issues that have caused us to turn ourselves. It is us.
It is the ugly side of being human. It is the self that we chose to show the world when desperately clinging to political notions and human beings. And it is a self that we are still showing today. No matter the outcome of the election, we have much explaining to do to our children — not because of any results, but because when times became difficult, when our backs were against the wall, we as a nation failed to choose kind. And it is that which deeply grieves me on this day.
We have to do better. Be anything you want – but be kind first.
What can we do?
Exude compassion.
When in doubt, show compassion. When you may not understand, be compassionate. When you are struggling for what to do, have compassion.
Show kindness.
To everyone you meet. Even if they don’t deserve it. Even if they are the most unkind person ever. The world can never have enough of it.
Speak life.
When the world gives us every reason to destroy with our words, speak life. Encourage, uplift, and edify at every opportunity.
Love fiercely.
The depths of love are deeper than any hatred. It is the root, not the branches. The deeper we grow it, the more steadfast we will become. When in doubt, BE love.
We are the example for our children and for the future. We are responsible for the way we conduct ourselves. We should be the embodiment of what we expect for others.
When we expect the actions of others to rise to a level of compassion, kindness, life, and love, we should always start with us first.
Then, and only then, will we begin to see the change we want for this world.
Today is a day to choose the good. And tomorrow I hope to try my best to choose the same because each day is a new opportunity to change the world.
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