Here in Florida we are in the midst of Republican Primary chaos. With the election set for Tuesday, soon we will all have a better sense of who will be challenging President Barack Obama this November. In the meantime, the airwaves are saturated with attack ads by Romney and Gingrich. I was struck by the back-and-forth between the two leading candidates during Thursday night’s debate. At times, I felt as though I were watching little kids arguing on a playground.
At one point, however, Romney said something that I hope all the candidates will take into consideration in the future: “It’s not worth getting angry about.”
I think we should all take that lesson into our own lives as well. Too often, we become so passionate about our views that we lose the ability to effectively communicate them to others. And at the same time we fail to listen to the opposing perspective in a cordial, rational manner because we become angry at that opposing perspective. Instead, we need to take advantage of the ability to exchange views and, when possible, mutually educate one another on a path towards consensus. EVERYONE has a lesson to teach us. EVERY situation has a moment of enlightenment.
We are all tired of an inefficient political system that is holding up legislation (on immigration!), judicial appointments, and countless other matters. Let’s start listening to one another respectfully and reaching for common ground in our society—especially in the daily conversations of our personal lives.
--Adam
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