But the Sun Will Still Rise

     I told myself I was done talking about politics and that I would focus on something else in today's blog, but alas I don't feel I've gotten it out of my system yet. I probably won't. Ever.  I read  an article in the Omaha World Herald  this morning about students protesting the election and it said:

"Dissent is ok, disrespect is not"

I think this needs to be considered on all levels because disrespect is a major reason we are where we are today. Disrespect and it's good buddy fear are what has caused this rift in our nation. 

"More than half of Democrats (55%) say the Republican Party makes them “afraid,” while 49% of Republicans say the same about the Democratic Party."--

“Partisanship and political animosity in 2016.” Pew Research Center. Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, 22 June 2016. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
      Disrespect is the embodiment of who was elected president just two short days ago. How can this disrespect be countered? If you thought I was going to say kindness, you're only partially right. I think kindness is the answer 99.9% of the time, but disrespect can be countered by understanding.
     No, I do not mean lying down and taking it when someone treats you or anyone disrespectfully. Quite the opposite. What I mean is understanding when our own actions are disrespectful and keeping that in check. Because in the grand scheme of things, who can we control? Only ourselves. We can control our actions, our words, and to most extents our minds. (Believe me, I know all about that negative self-talk and how hard it is to keep that beast in line).
 I am a strong believer that everything in our lives is  about making choices. When we are upset we choose how to channel those emotions. 

Choice A. Reactionary--carrying on, throwing a fit, hurling obscenities and hurtful words at people (even when we truly mean them).

Choice B. Functionary-- respecting that others have an opinion even if we don't understand it or agree with it, working to change the things we find reprehensible, and being the bigger person.

      Anger and sadness can be  powerful motivators, but hurting others around us  defeats our purpose and is quite frankly, hypocritical. Peaceful protests springing up around the country are spot on with what needs to happen. People need a place to voice their despair and anger. 
     On the other side of that coin, riots, looting, and violence are just giving fuel to the other side's fear. Respect for someone  does not mean that you believe in, or accept their views.  It means that you respect that they are another human being who is allowed  to have  beliefs and views of their own, no matter if you will never agree. Some people's minds will never be changed and sadly some people are just evil-minded, but I think we have the chance to change more minds with thoughtful, honest discussion than with insults and jeers. It isn't easy to undo years of hateful thinking, but why would we ever give up trying?

You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to play well. You don't have to do everything by yourself.

     Take a look around you and breathe. The sun rose today. I'm willing to wager a fair deal of money that it will rise again tomorrow. Choose your words and actions wisely. Be a person you will be proud of 5 years from now. Use your anger and hurt for good. Be a friend, be an ally, be a protector. Do not become that which you fight against.  

"Here, repeat after me, it goes; I won't stop loving. I won't stop loving."

https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?recruiter=14133602&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink

Credit to Holcome Waller's "Hardliners"  for the lyrics.