I have been quite lately. Partly because of laziness and the rest, well let’s just say I haven’t had the energy to write.  With the change of seasons however, I feel compelled to put thoughts and words to print, hopefully gaining a reader or two along the way. There are many things I would like to say so if I ramble, forgive me. That being stated, this is my favorite time of year. Fall going into Winter is a warehouse of memories. Stored in the form of colors and scents, sounds and colors, people and places. It all comes together in a soup we call memories that I simply adore. I would love to go on about this more but there is something else I would like to talk to you about.

Like all of us, things I care about I am passionate about. I do not take things that I consider dear to heart, lightly. Some things are so important that you need to know where you stand and why. At the same time I honestly try my hardest (sometimes falling short) to be as reasonable, understanding and objectionable about whatever it is or whoever it is I am disagreeing with. But it’s really hard sometimes to keep thinking that way when you have people and circumstances constantly testing you. Poking and prodding with cattle prods charged with the electric shocks of anger. Just thinking about it and trying to type it angers me. I want to lash out. Yell. Curse and scream…but I don’t (thank you Jesus). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve started typing something out only to turn around and delete it. It’s actually therapeutic. The last thing I want to do is upset people I love and respect, or strangers for that matter. You can vehemently disagree on principle and still have respect for the other person. I don’t care if you believe that, I do. And that is how I will live my live.

I have been cryptic about what has been the motivation for this topic and I have done so for a reason. All of this stems from various discussions on politics I have either read or have had over the last few months. I won’t be going into what I think about either candidate because my point is based on respect. Something that should be shared between those left and right of center. We have all but lost our ability to communicate with one another. The atmosphere is toxic and we should do everything within our individual power to reduce the effects on not only ourselves but others and our social environment.

I recently had a conversation with a friend with whom I find myself in constantly escalating arguments over various political issues. During this conversation some things were said to me that were true (the truth hurts right?)  but were said out of spite. I’m all for telling it like it is but I have learned that you can do that while being couth. When all is said and done, I just want to put food on the table, not have to worry too much and leave the world better then when I got here. None of us succeed in doing this 100%, those who set about doing so at least. If you say that you do then you should ask yourself if you are really being honest with yourself because chances are, you’re not. Joking around is fine, I don’t know anyone who says otherwise but we all know what it means to take things too far and too far seems to be the new normal.

The best thing about the November 6^th presidential election is that after I vote I can play Halo 4. I’ll be able to put this insanity behind me and just have some fun with my son, relax a little. Election season can be stressful if you let it get to you. What I try and do is realize that people speak in generalities (ex: democrats are anti God, republicans love war) so when they say something that doesn’t apply to you, don‘t let it. I understand the need to say something and that’s fine, if you do it with the right heart and mind. That and remembering that the informed voter or informed opinion about any issue: religion, the environment, racial tensions…all of these and more can at the very least be something that is mutually respected instead of being used to beat each other with.