Warning: this is not a political post. It’s a human post.
I feel like we deserve better. I don’t even know when the change was. We were a country of people that worked to help each other; we looked after our neighbors and our family, we didn’t have to say pay it forward-we just did. Help was part of who we were.
I believe the rise of the internet, the predominance of video games and the age of the OC and the Kardashians top the list of things that have made us zombies. We don’t take joy in the beautiful things in life. Instead too many people spend their days watching stupid pranks (think tidepods?!), stealing cars and running from police in a virtual reality world..or lusting after a family of toxic people. Where does that actually get us?
Beyond that though is how we treat each other. My mom always said ‘if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all’. Didn’t everybody’s mom say that? I recently heard also…’if you can’t say it with joy and charity don’t share it‘. {pause} Brilliant. Think about why you are saying something. Not just what you are saying. >>It’s not only about the words you choose but the intent you have.
We have lost tolerance in individuality. We are eager to trash someone’s name or identity JUST because they don’t think like we do, either politically or culturally. We find it easy to hide behind a screen name and say whatever we want. Even if we spew out personal attacks and words of hate. We find it easy to leave words of discouragement towards others when we feel like it–whether or not it is warranted…and really-why do we look at what others think and not think for ourselves?
>>Part of the unique value of travel is the opportunity to discover different cultures and the people who live them. How exciting to meet someone in a café halfway around the world and find out that you share something..past achievements, hobbies…etc….yet you still live completely different lives…have different political beliefs….but can get along because really, in the end, it’s the human inside that we meet. Don’t look at people as the shell, but as the whole. ♥️
How can we come together? What is it going to take for the common good to prevail and people to roll up their sleeves and work on making America kind again.
- Less judgement. We are ALL struggling to get through this life. We are all special in God’s eyes. We are unique but individual. Embrace that. We really wouldn’t want anything else.
- Empathy and compassion for our neighbors
- Understanding that we are all entitled to our opinion. I am. You are. They don’t even have to be the same opinion. We can disagree and we can still get along. (maybe an incentive to learn another side where you might discover something new?)
- Experience life. Get out and live. Understand nature. Understand different cultures. (I love talking to taxi/Uber drivers..we find out so much about the city and what to do, where to go, what’s worth it, etc….and of them love to tell us stories about their city)
- Respect
- Common goals
- Less name calling
- Character-trashing is really cruel and unnecessary.
- Support for the less fortunate than myself
- Love of everyone and realizing that at the end of the we are all equal in soul and spirit. ♥️
I am sure there are many more things we can do and I would love to hear them.
If you take away nothing else remember this: One small gift of joy can go a long way.
.belle âme. 