Life with Civility

 

Let’s talk a little bit about the power of words.

Last week I unceremoniously decided to deactivate my facebook until after the election.

I, along with many others, am extremely tired of having other people’s political views slapped in my face around every corner. I know who I’m voting for, thank you, and I really don’t need your soundbite or a well crafted diatribe via status update to sway me one way or the other. I know I’m not the only person who feels like this, am I right?

And, for shame, I refused to watch the debate! (Which now, I understand, was a mistake!)

I’ve said this many times before. Teaching preschool is a microcosm of society today.  You’ve got your nerds, jocks, mean girls, clowns, and a few leaders to balance it all out. When we were kids, we were all able to finish the quote “If you don’t have anything nice to say…”

I tried that the other day, and my class stared at me like I sprouted two heads. What does this say about our culture? Apparently we are not teaching our children the greatest axiom of our time. Honestly, where does this leave us? Does civil discourse even exist anymore? Are we able to intelligently debate one another without going for the throat?

I don’t share my political views with the unwilling. (I’m looking at you oversharers on FB!) But I’d be glad to sit down with a glass of red (or beer) and share with you how I’ve come to my beliefs. Guess what? You can even tell me that you don’t agree with me. In fact, I welcome it. Challenge me, stretch me, and I hope you’ll let me challenge and stretch you. I’ll be alright if you disagree with 99.9% of the things I say. Heck, I’d be elated if you agreed with me 99.9% of the time!

So please, I beg of you, for the good of our future be nice to each other. We are all fighting our own battles. We all have something to say and contribute. Just do it with love and respect.