Hysteria

 

Hysteria once again has taken hold of every position on the spectrum of political views. The extreme exaggerations, the cry of victimhood over slight offenses, the fear generating statements to scare people toward one side or another, are harming our country, our children and our future.

Seeing the world through the eyes of politics distorts reality.

This does not work. We can solve our problems, but we need to calm down.  

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Let's Be Really Honest

 

Is it out of convenience we determine the sanctity of life? Is it animals we have relationships with that we protect? Not farm animals, we eat them. Endangered animals? Animal's lives aren't sacred? Embryos, fetuses, babies we didn’t want, or convicted criminals; do we deny them a right to life? Why do we decide what life is sacrosanct and what life is expendable? Does anyone really know? I venture to offer we are still a primitive species making small and monstrous mistakes. We need to move carefully and thoughtfully. Not knee-jerk rebellion nor celebration. No, we aren’t evolved enough for that.

 

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra on Unsplash

It Isn’t Left or Right, Its Tribalism

 

Over our country’s history the political parties have shifted, and sometimes moved ideologically in a big way.  Hard core Republicans and Democrats don’t want to hear this, but in today’s political climate, as probably we always were, we are much more tribal.

            It is solidly in our DNA to gravitate toward those we identify with. Those who make us feel our opinions and beliefs are right. Once we ‘find’ our tribe we are susceptible to the shifting opinions of that tribe. Nothing stays the same in real life. Each political party has members who represent various factions of ideology.

            What is going on is much more than polarization. There aren’t just two ‘sides’; there are multiple tribes. And once a person is steeped in the identity of a certain tribe, they are susceptible to the shifting tides of it. Distrust the government, there are several tribes who adhere to that. Distrust rich people? Distrust Wall Street? Suspicious of environmental conservation projects? Look down on rural communities? Urban communities? Suspicious of efforts toward racial justice? Distrusting of government shifting the material to be taught to our children?

            Each tribe holds multiple beliefs, and as one gravitates to one tribe because they believe in prudent fiscal spending, for instance, they become susceptible to the other beliefs within this group; perhaps the opinion that all lower income people want the government to give them more free money and services.

            A tribe who doesn’t trust the government can easily extend this suspicion to the medical community, a similar big power group. A tribe who believes wealthy people are untrustworthy may eventually add the opinion that there is a sinister group of wealthy people trying to take over the whole planet for themselves.  

            The biggest take away from this situation is to understand how we are influenced by those we listen to and hang around. To be insightful as to how and why we think a certain way about a topic. To question our own beliefs. To not just buy in to one political party in its entirety. Because each is made up of multiple tribes.

Once Again

 

Once again, a horrific school shooting and everyone in the media is clambering to blame 'the others', lamenting along with their positions, angering one side or the other. We, ultimately, are all at fault.

Our culture has a sickness to put it simply. It out-pictures in the vulnerable among us. Those lost souls with so much lack of meaning in their lives, that they act out in the worst ways to relieve their pain.

And we allow this to happen. It is a spiritual crisis.

Children are growing up in a sea of violence, meanness, incivility, and lack of respect. Problems are cast off as someone else's responsibility. Every issue is torn into opposing camps throwing endless barbs.

The government cannot fix the sickness in our society.

We, the people have to mature, take responsibility, admit we have a crisis of meaning with no solutions. The next evolution of our species must be in our consciousness. And all of us need to work together and use all the solutions. It starts with kindness, care, and understanding.

“I do honestly think that if women were running the world there would be more investment in peace, because basically as women we do not want to see our children killed. Maybe I am completely idealistic, but until we see women in equal positions of power in the world, I just think that we are doomed.” - Meryl Streep 

This isn't a political comment though some may go there. Please try not to.

It would appear that the role women have been naturally endowed with has gone hidden in modern culture. (Note. There is a spectrum of personality from what is considered masculine to feminine. I respect all expressions.)

Women have long been credited with roles such as nurturer, healer, spiritual guide, peace keeper, environmentalist, equal rights advocate, as well as ushering the next generation into adulthood with stability, respectfulness, and responsibility with great, fierce love.

These are the most common attributes women were seen as having.

Now, in current culture, in a misguided attempt at equal rights, we are shown in the media stories and shows of women taking up male-like toughness physically, with weapons, blowing up places with bombs, fighting, and basically moving backwards in the evolution of our species. It is truly cringeworthy and sets off alarms, or at least it should.

Creating a better, more peaceful world isn't advanced by women making the same mistakes as men have. We have the power to give a peaceful balance to society. It is in our nature and takes more courage than does hate and violence. So yes, we need to find positions where we can make change.