Life Chats

I thought long and hard about doing a Life Chats today to discuss how this week’s events have made me feel.  There is so much that I want to say, but at the same time there is so much that I choose to just keep close to my heart. I’ve seen a lot of backlash against
bloggers for sharing their views and at the same time have seen bloggers get backlash for
staying silent.  In a situation like this, I don’t really know what the right thing is and I think we are all just figuring it out together.  I know for me personally, it just didn’t feel right to completely ignore what is happening right now in our country.  It didn’t feel right for me to just post like I normally do without acknowledging what is going on.  I’ve never been one to discuss politics on social media, so I tried to touch on it briefly via Instagram and Wednesday’s post by focusing on unity and peace for all of us.  My voice is just one in a world of billions, but I have the platform and ability to use it in a positive and uplifting way, and that is what I choose.  I will choose that every single time.

It hurts my heart to see how divided our country has become.  I hate to have to even type those words, but that is a sad reality that we are currently living in and it can’t be denied. I look at my niece, who is the closest thing I’ve got to having my own child, and I think about the future that lies ahead of her. I think of the future that lies ahead for all of us. These last few days on social media have been extremely disheartening.  I’ve seen countless hateful comments towards one another for a difference of opinions and for choosing “one side” over the other. I’ve seen some disgusting things said about Trump supporters and disgusting things said about Hillary supporters.  I have friends who voted for both candidates and I love them just the same, even if our views do not align. None of them are racists or hateful or misogynist. I have seen horrific rhetoric being thrown around on social media and people unfollowing or unfriending someone because of their beliefs. I have been sitting back observing all of this and I can’t lie it hurts my heart to see the depth of this divide. I am not here to talk about either party or to judge anyone for who they did or did not vote for.  I am not trying to judge anyone for their reactions to this outcome. I am not here to shove my own political views down your throat or to try and persuade you to support someone who you may never be comfortable supporting. That is not what I wanted this post to be about. Instead I wanted to focus on the unity that our country so desperately needs now more than ever before.

I know that for some, it’s hard to keep a positive perspective right now and it’s hard to be hopeful for the unknown that lies ahead.  I know that many are fearful, but there are also many who are completely content with this outcome. There is a wave of emotion happening amongst everyone and while none of us knows for certain what the future holds, the one thing that remains true is that this is our country and we all have the power to bring change into this world. Change takes time, but it’s the little things that we have to continue to build on like loving one another more and judging each other less.  We need to learn how to have a difference of opinion and still have respect for one another. Maybe we need to cross the divide to try and get a better understanding from those who have different views. I don’t have all the answers, but what I do know is that we have to start moving forward together.  To quote Aaron Paul who put it so eloquently,

“Let us just try and keep our heads high and grow as a nation and stand strong by each other’s side no matter the outcome. Do this in a kind way. A loving way. Not in a I told you so way. No more hatred. No more bigotry. Let us work through our beautiful and flawed differences.” 

This is the message that I wanted to share with you today. I truly hope that this did not
offend anyone as that was not my intention. I know that I could have easily kept my mouth shut, but I think by now you all know that I am always open and honest with how I feel.  I think sometimes it is important to shed light on these things here on my platform. Isn’t that what Life Chats is all about?  There is no hate here, just love. Maybe I am naive for thinking this way, but I have so much hope for us. I refuse to let go of that. So today, regardless of how you are feeling whether it’s good or bad, positive or negative, I hope that you can spread a little more love and kindness. No matter your stance on the situation, we are all in this together. I know it will take time, but I continue to pray for our unity.
Thank you for reading. <3