This had to be said, again

Updated: We all know the election took place last night. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of people that are disappointed in last night's results. I am sure that there are some Republicans that have said some snotty things regarding the results, I do not condone that behavior, not at all. What I am having a hard time with is the gloating and insensitivity of the Democrats. Last time I checked no one likes to be belittled, ridiculed or put down. At least, I don't think anyone does, I know that I don't. I also think the old adage of: You will get more bees with honey than vinegar holds true as well. Folks, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat we are all Americans. This is our country, our home. My hope would be that everyone wants what's best for our country, snarkiness does not help promote unity. Please keep that in mind. We need to be loving our neighbor, whether they agree with our personal views or not. It doesn't matter. There is no where that I have read in the Bible to "Love your neighbor...but only if they agree with all the same things that you do." I haven't read that anywhere, that's because I know that isn't true. "For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3: 11 Please keep this in mind, love folks.

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Growing up my Mom used to call me a diplomat.

I don't like stepping on other people's toes.

I like for people to get along.

I don't like being controversial.

But yet I have very strong thoughts and opinions on things.
Opinions that I don't readily share unless there can be a mutually respectful conversation and currently there is little of that.

It's election time.
Like all presidential elections this one is shaping up to be a doozy.
People have strong feeling for or against a certain candidate.
I get it, I have my own strong feelings.
I have my own opinions and thoughts.

Having my own opinions on a candidate that someone else doesn't have doesn't means a couple of things:
1. That it is okay for me to be rude and disrespectful towards you just because you have differing opinions.
2. It is not okay for YOU to treat ME that way either.

It's called being respectful you guys.
It reminds me of the childhood phrase, 
If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. 
It's still a relevant rule to live by in adulthood.

I thought about posting this on Facebook in regards to people who feel it's okay to bully others because of their political leanings {because that seems to be where the majority of this is going on}:
Since when does berating and belittling others ever help? Does verbally beating someone up because they don't think exactly the same way that you do help anything? Does it create an environment for open communication and debate?

But then I panicked, because putting myself out there to be berated and belittled for having my own thoughts and feelings does not sound like a fun idea.

It also goes against all of my diplomatedness.

{Is that a word?}

I have had this feeling of unease pressing on me.

Why does this season have to bring out the worst?
Why should we be afraid to express our thoughts?
What makes one person's political leanings so much worse or important than someone elses?
Isn't that the beauty of this country, that we have the freedom to have our own thoughts and beliefs?

This is something that I just don't understand and it annoys me to no end.

Where did this disdain come from?

I know that many do not agree with my political leanings.

What I don't agree with is the hatred and meanness that others feel is there right to spew upon others that don't agree with them.

Why is it okay for others to feel like they are RIGHT and everyone else is WRONG?

I don't mind one bit if others disagree with my ideals.

We, as adults, should be able to discuss our thoughts and feelings without being lambasted by others.

I am as much entitled to express myself as anyone else out there.

Me feeling a certain way or having differing political views does not make me less of a person or ignorant.

We just think differently.

That's okay.

The anger is saddening.

The hate is unnecessary.

This is a time of of big ideas and big changes.
While in some ways this election is similar to previous ones, in other ways this election has the capability to vastly change things.
It's up to each and every one of us to research and do some deep soul searching.
To decide for ourselves which candidate closely matches our own ideals.

I can tell you something with almost 100% certainty, belittling someone else is a good way to ensure that they never and I mean never really listen to what you have to say.
Spewing meanness and hate doesn't serve anyone.

I choose to love one another.

This was requested by One far greater and wiser than myself.

What do you choose?