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We live in one of the most polarizing and divided times in the history. As a country, political, economic, and racial division is so deep that fractions of Americans seem to be living in different realities, each one sure that the other groups are wrong. Fanatics all across the political spectrum become more extreme as the weeks go by. They alienate the majority of us, which they might realize if they stuck their heads outside of their echo chambers. The long adhered to principle of respectfully disagreeing but compromising with people who hold different views from us, is now an abstract revolutionary idea.
What is the average American to do in all of this? Most of us have no real skin in the game; we aren’t politicians or lobbyists. Some of us don’t even care for politics, and think everyone is acting ridiculously – outside of reason. I’d tend to agree with you.
We march on, and desire a better world for our families, and ourselves, despite our belief that we hold little power. The good news is that you, yes you, actually have the power to change your world. All you have to do is shift your mindset.
Look inward rather than outward.
The disheartening and depressing headlines roll out on a daily basis, making it easy to point out the problems of the world while ignoring what is going on inside ourselves. We live in a society of blame, and love to point the finger in self-righteous indignation. “Corporations, politicians; rich old white men! They are the problem.” This may or may not be true, and is subject to the perception of whoever is saying it. This mindset does little to build character on a day to day basis, and serves as a handicap to any real progress.
Instead, ask yourself what you have done to make yourself a better person today? Have you tried to eat better, or workout more? What about making time for meditation and stress decompression? Did you simply try to be a nice person to those you came in contact with? If you think the troubles of the world lie solely outside of yourself, well, that right there might be your problem.
Good character can’t be bought; it can’t be given to you or made in a factory, and Trump can’t take it away from you either.
The greatest change you can make is on an interpersonal level
I have to confess I am quite apathetic when it comes to my views on the world. I think I have been reading too much Chomsky the past few months. I tend to have the notion that the ‘powers that be’ will do what they will with the country and world, and I have little say in that. In the words of George Carlin, “It’s one big club, and you and I ain’t in it!”
Truthfully, we do have tools that are effective at creating change on a macro level, such as protests, voting in elections, and calling our representatives. They require us to be persistent, but they are effective if done consistently. Most people don’t go to protests (even going to just one is relatively ineffective, it takes repeated action to cause any noticeable ripple), call their representatives, and don’t vote. So how can we make a change?
It goes back to the question above: “Did you simply try to be a nice person to everyone you came in contact with today?” Most of us aren’t lawyers, politicians, or CEO’s. Our ability to enact any real change on a macro level is honestly close to nil. But we wield great power in creating change on a micro level, by our interactions with people throughout our day. Being the best mother, father, teacher, football coach, or whatever other hat you wear, is the best way to change your world.
My life has been made exponentially better by the kindness and generosity of teachers, coaches, and mentors throughout the years. These everyday people have had more impact on my life than any suit sitting in a New York City, or Washington D.C. office.
We wield great power to affect the lives of those we come into contact with everyday – for better or for worse. So if you voted for Hillary, show up at every protest, and rail against the system, but are still rude to the person behind the counter at Starbucks, I’m afraid you are missing the point.
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Photo Credit: Getty Images