Beating vs winning

Patriotism vs elitism

Kindness and justice vs name-calling and rioting

FYI…I began this post months ago, prior to the election. Tried to continue it during the election…and am now attempting to complete it after the election. Good luck or R.I.P.?

I rarely write on politics or controversial subjects but this past year and most recent election must be mentioned. This is not a post supporting one individual or another, but rather a push for the resurgence of character traits our nation seems to be in dearth of…

It’s been quite saddening to see the most ugly facets of human nature publicly displayed and lauded amongst our leaders and communities while reason and logic and compassion and generosity are shoved to the wayside.

It has become apparent to me that ‘beating’ one’s opponent’ has become the ultimate goal, regardless of which mountain one desires to reign. I have many issues with this kind of mentality. The singular goal of beating someone into submission, verbally or figuratively, regardless of additional end results shows an extreme lack of forethought and maturity. Drop your blunt-force weapons, you narrow-minded cavemen. Your fellow Americans are NOT your ‘opponents’ as in those you wish to trod upon. Beating someone is nothing to brag about if there is no other end result. It is akin to the physical interpretation of the word.

Winning, when spoken of in juxtaposition to beating, alludes more to justifiable dominance. Not merely a show of force but a reliable proof of merit. We should all wish to be judged meritable. Without the schmear of others beneath our boots.

Patriotism. At one time this seemed a respectable character trait, one which could portray my staunch worthiness to future employers on a resumé or in a well-written letter of reference. Now, I’m no longer certain I wish to own this descriptor. According to dictionaries and because I’m a nerd, here’s an article on the differences of patriotism vs. nationalism….https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/patriotism-vs-nationalism…and the description of patriotism from the Cambridge dictionary as “the feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it” while listing related words and phrases such as “chauvinism, jingoism, nationalism, nativism, isolationism…” Lots of “-ism” words there that are more than slightly reminiscent of derogatory leanings such as racism, sexism, ageism, genderism…

(Re: the definition given for patriotism and looking back on my nation and my people, do I have much of which to be proud?)

Which leads me to believe that an extreme belief that seeks to blot out others and their beliefs for no other reason than it does not adhere to the original extreme belief which then causes violence is something to avoid. Whew! What a mouthful. And if it’s a brainful for ya, maybe you should pull out that dusty tome called a dictionary….

I can guarantee that if more people across the nation knew and understood all of these terms, they would be more careful in not being found guilty of them. Thanks to our lackluster education system…..(but that’s another rant for another day…)

In other words, all ya’ll with beliefs that are completely intolerant of other beliefs to the point where you concede to violence is something/are someone’s to be avoided at all costs.

I have many beliefs. I have since I was a child. I have held these beliefs near and dear to my heart since I can remember and they have never left me nor abandoned me to hopelessness or anger. As strong as my beliefs are, and as contrary to others they may be, they have NEVER engendered violence towards others. Neither to my compatriots NOR to my enemies.

Those of you spurred towards violence…you are wrong. You have been misled. You are following blindly. Violence is never the first step and rarely the final answer. In my mind, it is THE final effort made in a valiant attempt to protect those that are weaker. In my heart I know I will only resort to violence to immediately protect those I love and maybe myself….(well, for sure myself but that was another me, in a different era…)

To see fellow Americans, regardless of age, color, gender or belief, stand toe-to-toe with each other and spew vitriol and hate towards other fellow Americans, without discourse, without attempting to understand, causes a great distress within my breast and I just pray for peace. I pray for love and understanding. I just pray. I have been reduced to nothing but prayer and hope, since I have seen so little of it.

Whether you want it or not, America, I pray for you. I pray for us. Lord help us all.