I wrote this post 3 years ago, Thanksgiving… I had hoped and prayed that by now we would have healed some. I really do not think we have and I am not sure we ever will…
It seems as though it has now spilled over into all parts of daily life.
While I can’t change the behavior of others, I can change mine… so I am hoping that enough of us stand up and say… IT IS OKAY to disagree.. We do not all have to agree in fact that would be very boring! Let’s embrace our differences and pull in our disrespect… Agree to disagree and treat each other with respect…
Disagreement is healthy, when done right. Stop labeling everyone a BULLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION.
Together we are stronger!
We wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving! This time of the year everyone asks “what are you thankful for?” and we list the usual..family, friends, health, home etc….
While these are all very important things to be thankful for …..there are Other things we should be thankful for.
We live in the greatest country in the world, where I truly believe most people care about others. At times it seems like this isn’t true, but I think the “loud ones” get the attention. No matter what you think about who won the election, what you should be thankful for is the fact we not only have the freedom to vote for who we want, but to voice what we feel. Although, I am disheartened by the slanderous and hateful rhetoric I hear from some. I have seen some say horrible and blatant untruths about people who disagree with them, this is a dangerous slope and cooler heads and HEARTS need to prevail.
I don’t want this to be a lecture on politics, but rather my thoughts on common decency. I have seen people say they aren’t welcome at family members’ homes because of who they voted for. This is very troubling and to be honest pathetic… If we as a country can’t have respectful debates, we will fail, and I for one am not willing to sit by and accept that.
So while we all celebrate Thanksgiving, let’s make a common vow that we treat one another with respect. I am not asking that we all agree, because as my dad taught me, healthy debate encourages inner reflection and expansion of views.
I hope this holiday season is that we treat one another with compassion and respect. When we try to squash the views of those who disagree with us by name calling and bullying, we in a sense are squashing their rights. As I said earlier this is a dangerous slope.
I am reminded of a George Washington’s quote ” If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter” My hope for us as a nation is that we heal. So next year when we are asked what we are most thankful for I hope on everyone’s list is “That we have healed as a nation and truly show one another respect” 