The United States is a divided country. There is no doubt about that. We need to come together. No doubt about that either. The only problem is that both sides believe that if the other side would just see the error of their ways everything would be fine.

While on Facebook, if I see something that upsets me I have learned to just move on and not interact. But then I feel guilty for not doing anything to heal the divide. So what do we do? Is there anything we can do? Well there is, but no one wants to do it.

We have to start talking to each other. I mean really talking, not just reacting. But that isn’t always easy, is it?

The first thing we need to do is recognize our triggers. Are there certain people or types of people, words or topics, tone of voice or other things that set us off?

One trigger for me as a woman with a hidden disability and wife to a man with multiple obvious ones, is the snarky remarks, comments and bad names sometimes directed at people with disabilities. And let’s not forget being accused of asking for “special privileges” when all we want is be able to participate actively in the this world, be taken seriously and recognized as equals and the children of God that we are. Asking for accomodations to make this possible is not “special treatment” it is a step toward equality.

Next time before you react out of anger stop, think and look for triggers. Is the way you really want to react to the other person, or is it really about you?

What are some of your triggers? How do they prevent communication with others and how do you deal with them? Let’s talk.

“Do not set aside your happiness. Do not wait to be happy in the future. The best time to be happy is always now.”
― Roy T. Bennett

“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.” — Henry James

“And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
― Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi