This new year Can be a time for a change. Sometimes the things we need to change are our assumptions. I want to challenge two negative assumptions and ask that we rethink them.
Nobody Cares.
This is SO untrue, I should not have to address it. I hear it a lot. “Americans don’t care as much as they did.” “It is a more selfish place.” Well, how about a reality check. We are a very generous people, we Americans. Over 63 million of us are volunteers. The charitable giving in the U.S. in 2017 was over $390 Billion. 80% of this was given by individuals. The other 20% was given by corporations and foundations. We lead the world in private philanthropy giving levels as % of GDP. The tradition of helping our neighbors remains strong in our country. (If you want to check some statistics, go to http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org and http://www.givingusa.org.)
We are a divided nation.
First, let’s be honest. Any nation which is made of many diverse groups will have many differences in its society. We love our differences in food, music, and family traditions. The narrative by the media about our divisions at this time is about our political divisions. I hear otherwise quality people, who I know, fall into a negative bigotry. A political bigotry.
There are those in this country who make money and gain status by promoting hate. To the extent that they succeed, will be the extent of serious divisions. I am very blessed to have a wide variety of friends. It gives me some greater insights. Many of my friends and I vote differently. Others that I thought were friends now have bought into the political bigotry narratives. “All conservatives are bigots.” “Only conservatives are patriotic.” As foolish as this bigotry is, people, sometimes good people, believe these to be true.
I have the advantage of knowing people different from myself. What I observe is that most of them live their lives similarly. They love their country. They work hard for themselves and their families. They care about social justice. They give. They volunteer. This is not a description of just Democrats OR just Republicans. These are real people who vote differently but live their lives similarly.
Don’t let those who profit by hate win. Get to really know people unlike yourself. You may be delightfully surprised.
Tim's Positive Place 
A thought from the commentary about nobody cares. We have to be willing to think outside our box, and see from another perspective. Let’s not just let our experiences alone be the only vessel to our conclusions. We are a very giving nation overall. I don’t have to be on the receiving end to know it to be true.
A thought from the 2nd paragraph about being a divided nation. Our veterans died for everyone, regardless of party or race. I see America as a melting pot. Its important to not brush stroke people , label and put them into buckets. That is prejudice. Let’s let them speak, hear them out and then evaluate. Everybody doesn’t have to think or believe like me and We can still hold hands and sing kumbaya!
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Thanks for your feedback.
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Good stuff.
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I don’t know about holding hands and singing kumbaya. Differences matter. Let’s make sure they are real. not stereotypes. Even if the differences are real hate is NOT the answer. Thanks for your insight.
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Good point Tim E., Tolerance is a by product of love. Loving the person 1st. I am glad there is nobody else like me. The world could not take it!! LOL!
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Let’s talk about the news and how we should handle what We take in. News has changed over the years. It used to be you needed 3 confirmed sources for the news to be released. Now its allegations and unconfirmed sources. We don’t have to let the networks tell Us what is real news or not. We can do our own research!
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