Peace in America. Does that sound like a bit of an oxymoron?  Sadly, it seems so to me. 

How did we become a nation of hate?  Yes, we’ve always had a political mentality of us -and-them, but now it’s elevated to a level that I find sickening and terrifying.

Peace and polarization.  Peace:  a state of mutual harmony.  Polarization: an effect that drives people so far apart on an issue it is as if they are at opposite poles. Americans have become so polarized that I think peace has become nonexistent.  When we allow ourselves to become so polarized, it becomes impossible for us to think responsibly.  Responsibility is crucial to peace.

How did we reach this point?  There are so many answers  but, truth be told, we couldn’t even agree on that.  We can’t, as a nation, talk about peace and democracy if we aren’t able to find it among ourselves.  I think we need to ask ourselves and each other... how can we intertwine peace and politics?  ‘Impossible”, you may say, but please,  pause and then ask yourself “why?’.  If we can just listen to the voices of reason, which are present, be it left or right,  we might just find a path to mutual understanding, respect and hopefully, reconciliation.

We must find a way back to kindness.  Every one of us is in full possession of our own natural peace, but when we step outside of that special place, we allow anger to to take over.  Can we not disagree and still respect the other person as a human being?

I believe polarization is produced and directed by sources who instigate it  because it’s economically feasible to do so.  AKA...GREED.  If we could find a way to come together and just step up for peace...who knows?  We can follow our existing path of polarization, or we can dare to step outside these constraints and  come together in peace.  Pollyannish?  Maybe, but the current mindset isn’t working for any of us, so why not “give peace a chance”?  I’m not a religious person, but I am a person of faith.  My faith is in human beings and our ability to do better.

Peace is a  path we choose.....it really can be as simple as that.