The old adage “united we stand, divided we fall” came to mind today as I read about a poll that was just released by Monmouth University, finding that 7% of the 802 people surveyed admit they’ve lost at least one friendship because of differences over the 2016 presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Nine percent of Clinton supporters said they had parted ways with at least one friend, while 6% of Trump supporters saw the ending of a relationship.
I can relate, as I also came very close to losing a few of my own friendships because of who I am going to vote for.
Thankfully, those friendships have survived but my heart remains heavy about the unbelievable amount of division there is right now among the good people of America over who might be the best man, or woman, for the job of 45th POTUS. From my vantage point, our country is in enough turmoil as it is and if things have even the smallest chance of getting better, unity is crucial.
I realize there’s a lot of fear out there. And scores of people on both sides have fallen prey to the idea that America is on the verge of something more terrible than could ever be imagined or played out in a Hollywood horror film.
So naturally, some sort of savior figure is believed to be necessary to save the day. And boy, are people up in arms and fiercely passionate about who that person should be. So much so that many are willing to throw away friendships and do all kinds of hateful things in the name of making the world a better place.
A very sad state of affairs, indeed.
Through the chaos, I ponder whether the litany of fear-based scenarios about America’s future have even the slightest possibility of coming to pass. Perhaps it’s time for all of us to take a deep breath, calm our thoughts and search deep within ourselves for clarity as to what is real and what is fiction.
Even if a tragedy of epic proportions is coming down the pike, wouldn’t it be more effective to work together to find a way to prevent it as opposed to fighting over whose hero is more capable of leading us through a doomsday-type scenario?
I wish with all my idealistic heart that both of our presidential hopefuls would come to understand this and begin to work side by side toward bringing solidarity, safety and prosperity to our nation.
At the end of the day, only one of them will win the election. But regardless, our problems must be remedied in order for America to thrive and retain her position as the greatest country in the world. We can never win our nation’s battles if we persist in battling one another.
This, for sure, will remain true no matter who sits in the Oval Office.
To usher in positive and lasting change, I am wholeheartedly convinced the key lies in our willingness to treat one another in a manner in which the late and legendary singer/songwriter John Denver suggested so beautifully.
“I believe that we are here for each other, not against each other. Everything comes from an understanding that you are a gift in my life – whoever you are, whatever our differences.”
Should we choose to live in the light of this profound truth, there would be nothing we couldn’t accomplish together, nothing to divide us and absolutely nothing to fear or fight about.
#imwithyouandyourewithme #unityisourstrength #thereisnofearinlove