Thinking Bigger Than Politics
Leadership
Whether you like it or not, sometimes we get stuck with leadership. The last election was one of the most controversial elections in history. We had a unconventional candidate win. Some people were rioting in the streets and others are others were completely ecstatic. Friends disowned "friends." Families divided. AND FOR WHAT? I say, it doesn't matter which "side of history" you were on, and here's why:
Why it Doesn't Matter.
While there is some trickle down effect on your daily life based on what decisions the President makes, you still live in a free country that affords you the right to dream BIGGER. Anything is possible in this great country if you put your mind to it. Yes, be responsible and vote, but don't let the outcome of an election rule your thinking. Checks and balances are put in place to hold our President accountable, so why let worry continuously cloud your mind? Why let it separate you from others? While you're rioting in the streets or in a fight on social media with someone of opposing views, you're wasting valuable time. And while you waste it, some people are fighting for their lives to hold on to just a little more. Time is special, because we never know when ours will be up. Use the time you are given and do something with it. Someone else's thinking shouldn't dictate how you live. People need to stop being offended over such ridiculous things. Words are just words. Yes, they can be hurtful, but they only hold power over you if you let them. Words should serve as motivation for your success, regardless of whether they are meant to encourage or discourage you. So, when it comes right down to it, it doesn't matter who holds the President's office or whether or not you appreciate his or her point of view. If you maximize the use of your time, you can overcome small-minded thinking and positively affect your own environment.
Who's the Real Enemy Here?
So, who's the real enemy here? Your neighbor that would still come running if your house was on fire regardless of your political differences? Or a news outlet with an agenda up their sleeve? See, the media feeds people content that will get them fired up. To them, you're just a number. The more people they get viewing and talking about their content, the more money they make. So, it makes sense to release the most controversial content possible, right? Clearly it works, but it is detrimental to society as a whole. People begin to take sides and become part of a "mob mentality," where anyone who opposes you is automatically your enemy. This isn't good, because a house divided against itself cannot stand. Now, I'm not saying that we need to be totally oblivious to what is going on with our political system, but I do think we should give less attention to biased media. Talk to real people with real issues and develop real solutions. Nothing good comes from keyboard warriors stirring the pot on Facebook.
Focusing on YOU.
So instead of focusing on the garbage that every media outlet is feeding to hordes of zombie Americans, focus on YOU. You can't determine how others speak or act, but you can determine how YOU treat other people. Rioting and breaking someone else's property won't do anyone any good. There is only one person you can change in this world, and that is YOU. Change HAS to start with YOU. Make the little differences. Focus on the things you can change. Help that person that needs you to hold the door because their arms are too full. Worry about whether or not you are doing the right thing. Put in the effort. Work hard. Figure out what you're passionate about and smash some goals you set for yourself. Don't just sit around and wait for someone to come along to hand you the keys to success. Never feel trapped by your current situation, because you can ALWAYS change it. Be diligent with your time. You, and only you, control your actions. You never know who's watching and what kind of an impact you are having on someone else. Often times you can affect others in ways you may not even realize. So, essentially by focusing on yourself, you're really focusing on others. Be that inspiration they need to change as well.
Conclusion
Long story short...grind. Turn off the news and do something. Get to work bettering yourself. Small acts can have tremendous repercussions, good or bad. If everyone focused on making positive differences on the people's lives that they come directly into contact with on a daily basis, many of the problems we have as a society today could be eliminated. So be in charge of you. You don't need to run other people's lives, because you can't. But you CAN determine how you treat those people. By understanding that you're powerless to change other people, you really empower yourself. You have limited time on this earth, so put it to good use. While the media distracts others, you can be hustling. While you're at it, you may just make a difference. Don't pick up a pitchfork unless you plan on putting it to work. If you're working hard and having an impact on people's lives, others may just follow suit.
“I found it is the small, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”