Arguing over and fretting about politics, I’ve been as guilty as anyone of doing it. I’m embarrassed over the hours I wasted with aggressive Facebook comments, tweets, re-tweets and the like. For the past 4 years I’ve been going back and forth with e-mails with longtime friends who are on the opposite side of my views. The bottom line is I’m never going to change their minds and they’re never going to change mine either. It’s a stalemate. We live in a country more sharply divided than ever before and with social media those divisions grow deeper and more irreparable with each volley of arguments. I’ve had more than enough.
Folks, all that time and angst over this stuff is just not worth it. Now don’t get me wrong, I think it’s still important to vote and have an interest in American politics. It’s also important to peacefully protest and try to have things changed for the betterment of the masses. But you (or at least I) need to keep things in perspective and respect the limits of persuasion. So many people have their heels dug in to their ideas and to engage in getting opposing views to change their minds is wasted energy. It doesn’t amount to a hill of crap. One thing I’ve learned in teaching students with behavioral issues, NOBODY wins in a power struggle.
This year on election day after our students were dismissed, we teachers and staff had some personal wellness activities to work on through a new program focused on resiliency. Much of this program has to do with mental wellness as we continue to slog through the current pandemic. There were survey questions to answer and personal reflections to make. I got some positive insight from the activities and there will be more mental and physical wellness issues to engage in with in this program. I sure could use them!
On election night I watched the 5:30 network news, clicked on some Facebook comments then shut down my concern and worry about politics. Earlier in the day I voted and that was the best voicing of personal choice I could make.
I spent the rest of the night watching The Godfather and Godfather Pt. 2. I let go the concerns over who won each state and the local political races as well. During commercial breaks I also logged on to Amazon to order a new alarm clock and a new pair of slippers which will be needed come the cold winter months. It’s time for me to end my concerns over which states are blue, which are red and the like.
I’m sure this de-politicizing is going to take some time and the positive after effects will bloom in the coming days, weeks and months. Hey, I’ve already got a new alarm clock and warm slippers to look forward to, so that’s a start. As it was so eloquently put in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel:
EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE END, AND IF IT IS NOT ALRIGHT, THEN IT IS NOT YET THE END.
I’ll close off this blog with what is my mantra in these crazy times.
NEXT BLOG- Applebee’s, SNL, Mike, Brooke & Robin.