Taking A Step Back
A message in regards to the current social and political climate in which we live in.
Life stinks sometimes.
We have all faced obstacles in life, and we will all have to face many more in the future.
Whether it be dealing with the loss of a loved one, struggling to pay for something, or battling some other physical or emotional pain, we all know how hard life can be at times.
Over our history, humans have bonded together to survive as a species. Humans have persevered for hundreds of thousands of years due to our dependence on each other. Humans have survived because we have leaned on each other.
Lean on me, when you’re not strong, I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on.
-Bill Withers
Despite this, we still treat each other terribly.
Hateful, fake news spreads on social media every day. Hate crimes continue to spike. Opposing political parties HATE each other. The number of times I have heard “they are nice but they like Trump/Harris” is through the roof.
Loneliness is at epidemic levels, too.
We have forgotten that we all deal with struggles in our lives. We have failed to recognize this.
Even more discouraging is the fact that nobody speaks out about these struggles for fear of embarrassment or appearing vulnerable.
The truth is that everyone has vulnerabilities, and that it is OK to appear vulnerable sometimes. Being vulnerable and open is one of the few ways one conquers an obstacle.
It is OK to be vulnerable. It is OK to cry.
It’s OK to be the person who helps another carry on. It’s OK to be the person who shows compassion.
We are all the same species. We are all in the same boat.
“Sometimes I'm right, and I can be wrong
My own beliefs are in my song
The butcher, the banker, the drummer, and then
Makes no difference what group I'm in.”
-Sly and the Family Stone
We are all residents of Earth. Let’s remember this and treat others as such.
In the polarized political climate we live in, I encourage all to take a step back. Don’t insult others. Don’t immediately come to a judgment without looking at all sides. Instead, try to hear each other out.
We should start working together to find common ground rooted in the values we have embodied for generations, such as respect, honesty, and kindness.
Be more compassionate. Be more kind. Be more empathetic.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”
-Dalai Lama
Attached below is the playlist that inspired this article:
This is so true, and we're all guilty. Excellent message, Zach.
Great post! I appreciate the optimism!