This past week I listened to and read about people's reaction to the presidential election.
I am trying to grasp (the results), fix (people who don't think like I do), and learn (how to love everyone).
It is hard.
I have had some mean thoughts, and I have done some soul searching. It's been a bit of a roller coaster inside my head.
I sat in disbelief with the people who felt as strongly about their candidate as I did mine. I have laid blame on people who didn't stand strong in what they believe. I have also struggled with what my reaction as a Catholic is supposed to be.
Should I be more outspoken? I have asked myself this question a lot this week. I have a hard time putting my feelings into words so getting into a dispute over something I feel strongly about will probably just leave me with a pounding heart, teary eyes, and sounding like a bumbling fool.
I thought of my Mom a lot this week in regard to that question above. She was, and continues to be, the biggest influence on my life. How did she do it? She taught me by her actions, not by her words. She wasn't in your face about what she thought on this and that. She was just a strong presence of what is right with the world.
I often make a generality of those with opposite views than mine. In reality though, I am friends with them, I am acquaintances with them; heck, I am even in the same family as some of them. It doesn't effect my day to day interactions with them, nor my love for them. That doesn't change and it never will.
This doesn't mean to say I won't give up totally on my values and hopefully I won't fall into the slow fade of immorality that I believe is happening in society. But actions really do speak louder than words and hearts can be changed by a simple smile, a touch, or a prayer.
Not to sound too cliche', but "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
Beautifully written, Kathleen...
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't have said it any better Kathleen! You are right, once the emotions settle down and you get back into the daily groove, just let your light shine as it always does. Slowly, but surely, people will ask what is different about you and with a lot of love and prayer, they will begin to figure it out...
ReplyDeleteBeth
I agree with Billie Jo...
ReplyDeleteWell, for pretty much my entire life we have been best buds, and I never felt anything but loved and respected by you and you know my views are different than yours .
ReplyDeleteI don't think trying to "fix" is the answer for anyone with a different view. I would never be swayed differently anymore than you would. But we have always been " us" and never had drama.
I think you make a good point in living by example . None of us are here to pass judgement on anyone. All anyone can do is , live in a way that people will know that God lives in us. We all have to hold our values, be tolerant, respectful of others.
I have always loved that the 6 of us are so different, I have always felt that's one of the things that makes our friendship so special and what I hold so dear .
Life would be no fun if we all felt the same way about everything. Less frustrating for sure, but no fun!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, that it is all about our actions more than our words.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked and so saddened, but life moves on. What made me really sad was how people were talking to each other online and how disrespectful they could be (this coming from both sides). It seems civility has taken a back seat to needing to be right. Kindness is becoming a lost art.