How true.
As I observed the political campaigns and elections recently, I noticed a troubling trend of friends and countrymen falling victim to media manipulation. I watched as we created a new enemy in society---ourselves. We are turning on each other as a nation, as the enemy steadily and quietly attacks from within our own circles as our friends and family; our neighbors, schools, and communities obliviously descend in a death spiral downward towards a world of chaos and ruin. Liberty and freedom continue to be threatened as even our own election process has brought a resistance as people march to overthrow our newly elected president who has not even been given a chance to show his worth as our leader. We judge too quickly, as an ignorant crowd armed with pitchforks and torches to take down our republic.
These days we as Americans are obsessed with our health, and devote endless hours to maintaining our physical well being through exercise and nutrition. But it seems as our world becomes increasingly engulfed in the flames of hate and division on on the streets of our great nation and in social media in matters of social and political issues we have been severely neglecting the single most important segment of our health--our minds. How tragic for one of the greatest nations the world has ever known, that we have fallen victim to willful ignorance. Our minds are very complex as we all know, the thing is, we have to exercise them just the same as we do our bodies.
No matter how busy we claim to be as we move through our days, it is essential we always take time to exercise our minds and read. Reading full books, full articles and authors from a VARIETY of perspectives prevents one from becoming too stuck in a mindset that promotes willful ignorance. Letting ourselves become mesmerized by social media rhetoric and voicing only one perspective stifles our objectivity and critical thought while rendering us incapable of debating each other in a manner that is both productive and meaningful. Some people choose only see what they want to see, and it is creating a cult of ignorance, intolerance and anti-intellectualism. (no matter if you consider yourself on the left or the right of political and social issues) We owe it to our children and young people to create a climate of love. People can love each other and still disagree. You can share your views on society and still love and respect those who do not agree with your values. It's true! No matter how hard it is to love those who oppose your values, one has to try because you will only drive others away from your perspective if you don't' take time to listen to others. But this can only come through educating ourselves; and educating ourselves requires reading and honest discussion in the spirit of mutual respect. Through reading we learn to use our words in a manner that persuades and invites thoughtful debate.
Be careful with your words, don't allow yourself to feed into the lies that divide and dominate our culture today. Take time to read, study and contemplate. Then, armed with enlightenment and facts have the courage to step outside those "safe spaces" we have created for ourselves and others by interacting with others who hold different values from your own. While it is challenging for sure, it is possible. It takes guts..but who knows, you might find in the process a mind is changed....be it theirs or yours.
Stay humble, hold fast to your deepest values, and don't be afraid to take a risk. Reach out to others, share your knowledge. In the end not one of us have cornered the market on righteousness. Not a one. That privilege is held only by The One who created us.
