I know! There’s just so much going on lately and I do have a lot of thoughts about it. I also talk about it a lot, privately with people I know want to have a real conversation. I don’t typically post about my political leanings and I rarely read social media posts or mainstream news channel articles either.
Like the snob that I’ll admit I am, I tend to get my news information from print magazines, and (I’ll also admit) my husband when he wants to discuss things he’s found throughout the day over dinner or on our afternoon walk.
So, without further ado, here are my thoughts on “politics.”
“Apolitical” does not mean that I’m not aware of what is going on in our country. It doesn’t mean that I’m ignorant of how our government works. It doesn’t mean that I don’t vote.
What it does mean is that I don’t play the game of “politics.”
Politics treats the government as a game to follow, a team to root for, and colors to wear. It’s a national sport that asks us all to choose sides and form up and I don’t believe it is conducive to governing or living well. In fact, I don’t think politics accomplishes much of anything except to feed some people’s desire to argue about how others should live.
That is why I don’t share my opinions on social media. I don’t post what I believe we should do about individual situations and events. I don’t tell you, “I voted! And you should too!” And I don’t discuss what politicians are currently doing and saying.
I don’t want to participate in the game. I don’t want to feed the machine that does its best to separate us into factions, pit us against each other, and live in fear.
But I do participate in government to the best of my ability, and to the extent my time and energy will allow, without destroying my peace of mind.
There is no win or lose on a journey. There are only choices and what results of those choices.