by Kelli Bowen
Tonight the children are especially uninterested in our television choices. Hubby and I are going about our evening with the live election results going in the background.
Hubby and I don’t always agree on politics. That’s okay. He’s my best friend. He’s my favorite guy in the whole world. I am possibly a solid contender for his third favorite female. We can disagree and still live together and love each other.
That is something that gets lost, I think. People like to get wrapped in the rightness of their perspective or wrongness of others.
My children had a mock-election at school. I asked my kids who they voted for. They both voted for the same person. When I asked why? Miss A said that her not-preferred candidate thinks <insert a child's horrific explanation of something you'd never guess>
I told them they can learn about and support whoever they agree with; that’s the beauty of our system. I said making a habit of listening to the good someone does (they all sneak some good in somewhere. I’m almost sure of it!) and not only listening to the negative voices, will help make good decisions. I explained that in politics, mud-slinging and false truths are common, so listening for the good will help them get a better handle than the bad. Learning more and listening for the good will help you do better.
Earlier today, I was talking to someone about changes in oneself. I was reminded of the Maya Angelou quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
Whoever I wake up to as our new President, and we should know by the time you read this, I hope the person will do they best he or she can do.
I know that some will be ecstatic, some will be angry, some will feel hopeless, and some hopeful. I just hope to do the best I can until I know better and I hope to raise children who do the same.
I have friends who feel incredibly strongly and would be considered far left. I have friends who feel incredibly strongly and would be considered far right. I have burn-it-down and start over friends. I have libertarian friends. I love them all. I’ll keep loving them and trying to be a good friend and neighbor, as there are no winners or losers. There are just people trying to do their best.
Kelli makes her home in Billings County with her husband, two daughters and a dog. She works for North Dakota's #1 tourist destination by day and tries to be an alright mom, wife, friend, and writer by night.
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