Tag Archives: #politics

Spirituality

And The Beat Goes On…

Every time I tap into social media, it makes me think we are on the verge of destruction because of politics. We aren’t, and I’m being facetious. I don’t pay attention to the noise.

People have been fighting over their political beliefs since before the Constitution was written. And the people will be still be fighting long after I’m gone. For some, it seems to give them a sense of purpose. They dig their heels in and express their righteous indignation with a passion they weren’t aware they had.

Human decency should triumph over politics. People are what matters, regardless of their politics.

So, my encouragement to you is to take a break from political noise. Enjoy your life today and every day. Get outside. Take a friend you haven’t seen for a while out to lunch. Read for pleasure.

The noise will always be there if you want to return to it. I hope you don’t miss it…

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#inspiration

Family Time

Oftentimes when I ask people if they have vacation plans they respond, “yes, I’m going to visit some of my family.” My response is that family trips aren’t a vacation, they’re an obligation!

With the holidays approaching families will be together, hopefully celebrating and not fighting. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend of mine whose brother has cut off contact with him because of politics. From my observation, this is happening more and more frequently. It’s sad, really. Differences in political beliefs should not be a dividing line.

One of the foundations of our identity is our family. I came from a completely dysfunctional family, but the dysfunction stopped with me. I healed and did not pass on the craziness to my sons. It took work, but my children are much more important than my comfort.

It’s okay to disagree with your family. If you ever found someone, anyone, who agreed with you all the time, they are a chameleon and not to be trusted.

Stand by your family. They will be the ones who remember you. The politicians won’t…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Time Out

In sports, teams call a time out when they need to regroup or rethink their strategy. Perhaps some people in the United States should call a personal time out.

The division in this great country has been building for 20 years. The last time we were united was immediately after 9/11. It makes me sad to see how divided and angry we have become. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Democrats are raging anger about losing the election. I have seen some Republicans gloating and throwing it in people’s faces. Both are wrong. We can be better, if we are willing.

Second to the Bible, the United States Constitution is the greatest document ever written. Our republic will still be here in 2028, no matter peoples opinions.

I encourage you to take time away from the noise. Get away. Travel. Enjoy time with your family and friends. The noise is always there if you feel some need to revisit it.

We are better together…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Angered

There’s a lot of angry people out there. Some people have lost their minds over politics. They even seem to revel in their angry rhetoric. It almost gives them a purpose.

Jesus got angry. In fact, he made a whip and cleared the Temple with it. Getting angry isn’t wrong when you are angry about the right things.

Injustice makes me angry, as does the exploitation and harming of children. Currently there are over 300,000 children who have been trafficked across our border that our government has lost track of. How something this colossally cruel and irresponsible could happen is beyond me.

When you get angry, ask yourself a question: is it worth it? If it’s important, pursue it with everything in you. If the answer is no then let it go.

There will always be something new to make you angry waiting around the next corner…

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#inspiration

Who Do You Prefer?

Every election cycle we get barraged by celebrities making their presidential endorsement. And we get some who promise to leave the country if the other parties candidate wins. The funny thing is, they are all still here. I guess they were just empty promises.

Being a critical thinker, you don’t need to listen to anyone about who to support, celebrity or otherwise. Your vote aligns with your values and what you want our country to look like in the future. It’s up to the candidates to win your votes because they have the right vision. It’s up to us to hold them accountable.

Voting is a serious matter, and it’s a great right. We sometimes take it for granted and we shouldn’t. We might lose that right someday if we aren’t careful…

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#inspiration

Civil Discourse

Civil discourse is the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding. If you are paying attention to social media you will start to believe civil discourse is dead. I believe it’s alive and healthy.

It takes an open mind combined with a willingness to listen to those who don’t agree with you. Listening to a different side is not a threat to your beliefs and convictions. In fact, I believe it’s healthy to try to see things through different eyes. This expands the lens you see the world through.

When you study history you will see that we have had discourse since the birth of our nation. Yet, we have survived 248 years.

In the end, we realize that we are better together…

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#inspiration

Friends For Life

There are people from my childhood that I’m still friends with. We have decades of history together. They are important to me. I know them and I care about them.

In the political culture we are living in, I have seen friendships severed because of politics. Relationships with people you know are tossed aside because of someone you don’t even know. The politicians don’t know or care about you. You might not like some of them if you got to know them. Politicians are self-serving, shallow people. They want your money and your vote. They don’t want your friendship.

You are going to go through periods in your life where you’re going to need people. You suffer a loss? Friends are there. Need some encouragement? Talk to a friend. Want companionship? Call one of your friends.

Where are the politicians when you need them? They are still in Washington pandering to the masses.

Value your friendships. They care about you…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Exaggeration

Have you ever told a story about yourself and exaggerated the details to make the story better than it was? Of course you have! I have, too. Guys have been doing it for thousands of years to impress girls.

The worst example of exaggeration comes from the politicians. As long as I have been aware politically I have heard innumerable promises from those who want your vote. And I have voted for Republicans and Democrats with the same results. I believe we put way too much faith in Washington DC and not enough in our Creator. He’s the only one we can trust.

In this political season, take time to listen to the “promises of a better future” the politicians talk about. Consider what makes sense. And above all the noise, remember to pray to the one who has your future in His hands…

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#inspiration

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh was a fictional character that the author A. A. Milne created for his son, Christopher Robin. The inspiration for Pooh came from a stuffed teddy bear that Milne gave his son for Christmas. And oh the wisdom that came from the “bear of very little brain.”

Hollywood has a history of creating fictional histories about actors. They clean up the real stories and sell the public a bunch of BS so we will love and accept their creation. The politicians have followed the lead of Hollywood and work hard to make people presentable to the public to gain votes. In some cases they make the politicians to be larger than life superheroes. They aren’t.

Do your own research and see for yourself. Don’t be afraid to see the truth. You might be surprised at what you find…

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#inspiration, #spirituality

Impulses

I have an impulsive habit. I admit it. Remember the infomercials that would be aired in the middle of the night? They were targeting people like me. You might recall the Ronco “set it and forget it” oven. I bought it and forgot it. Twice! Thank God I have a full head of hair or I may have bought the spray on hair.

In today’s politically charged world, there are many who want to goad us into visceral outrage. I have one “friend” on social media who tells outright lies with no consequences. He wants us to impulsively reply to his nonsense and, admittedly, sometimes I want to let him have it. After all, lying to people without being called out on the lies just encourages more lies. I just take a deep breath and pass him by, reminding myself that I wouldn’t want to live inside his head or heart.

Controlling our emotions is a sign of maturity. Perhaps I’m growing up!

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