The idea of a check-in is something that is used often in the counseling and training world. Whether you use some sort of signal or color coded formula or a word, it is a great way to make sure that everyone is still engaged and processing as you go along.
As I look at my various social media pages and listen to the news today my check-in word is definitely OUCH! For lack of a softer term, shit is heavy out there right now. I expected nothing less after this election to be honest. I think it shows how important this country is to EVERYONE! If Obama lost there would have been a great deal of people bitter, angry, upset, and fearful for the country as well.
I have never been one that is HUGE on politics. There are a great deal of matters that take place behind the scenes and so much circular talk and red tape that it becomes confusing. I have yet to meet anyone who has one political view or another that thinks they are wrong or that their vision could possibly be skewed. I do however live in The United States of America. I am not a felon, of age, pay my taxes, and as I understand it that gives me the right to vote. It gives me and millions of others the right to vote not the right to qualify or devalue anothers right to vote.
The biggest OUCH! that I have experienced during this election is the idea that because I am black is the only reason why I voted for Obama. Please, don't get me wrong I am well aware and know many black people who did in fact only vote for Obama for that reason. My issue is that, it is their right to do so. No one said that anyone has to make a truly informed decision or that you must follow certain guidelines to vote. It's your right to choose who you want to vote for. I am offended however that it is the first assumption by many. Do I think it's really amazing and historically significant that a black man was voted president twice in this country? I absolutely do! That doesn't mean though that I would honestly put my future or my hopes for what I want my government to do for me to the side just to vote for someone based on their skin color. As stated previously I also recognize that I am not the most educated when it comes to politics so I am more than willing to listen to and hear out those who have opposing views to mine as well. I respect other peoples right to vote and to make their decisions however they choose. Where it becomes a problem is when instead of educating me on your point of view you spew hateful, ignorant, and bitter remarks to me.
I don't automatically assume that a conservative white person is only voting for Romney because he is white. As stated before, however, even if they are that is their right. It's just really hurtful to see the manner in which others denigrate the choices that others make. We all have different opinions, viewpoints, values, and issues that we find to be important. Whether you are the least or the most informed the varying values, and issues of importance to you can greatly skew and determine which candidate you felt was best for you. As my brother so eloquently pointed out at this point it is not about the finger pointing or the blame game anymore. What it is about is all the levels of government working together with the president to make changes that help this country move forward and recover. Disregarding someones view point or insinuating that they are less of an American because they voted differently than you is ridiculous it makes me sick to my stomach. We live in a country where we are supposedly the most privileged and richest and there are still children who starve or die from neglect. Yet, a great deal of us sit around and point fingers back and forth about how one is not doing enough here or focusing too much there. No one President will ever cause or solve all of our problems!
In the end the downfall of Americans will not be their lack of education (at least not directly) or their desire to elect a Democrat, Republican, or other. It will not be people voting because someone is or is not of a certain race, religion, or socioeconomic standing. The downfall will be that a country with a history as dirty and disgusting as the United States will get so full of itself, so forgetful of what they are capable of both good and bad, that it actually believes that anything can be accomplished that any real growth or change can happen without working together to do it. People are afraid of Socialism not afraid enough of the dangers of Capitalism, and act as though when the elected official is not one that they support that we live in a Dictatorship. It all comes down to our ability to put aside our individual opinions and work together.
I find this quote extremely relevant:
“Not in order to justify, but simply in order to explain my lack of consistency, I say: Look at my present life and then at my former life, and you will see that I do attempt to carry them out. It is true that I have not fulfilled one thousandth part of them [Christian precepts], and I am ashamed of this, but I have failed to fulfill them not because I did not wish to, but because I was unable to. Teach me how to escape from the net of temptations that surrounds me, help me and I will fulfill them; even without help I wish and hope to fulfill them.
Attack me, I do this myself, but attack me rather than the path I follow and which I point out to anyone who asks me where I think it lies. If I know the way home and am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way because I am staggering from side to side! If it is not the right way, then show me another way; but if I stagger and lose the way, you must help me, you must keep me on the true path, just as I am ready to support you. Do not mislead me, do not be glad that I have got lost, do not shout out joyfully: “Look at him! He said he was going home, but there he is crawling into a bog!” No, do not gloat, but give me your help and support.”
― Leo Tolstoy
In this quote you can replace the Christian precepts with any task or agenda. Tolstoy said, instead of talking about the person in a negative manner or acting as though their supporters are "idiots" or some how less than you because they made a different choice than you did, how about you do what you can to support this person, help them. If you believe you know what is best, a better plan, what needs to be done then encourage those working in Government no matter their political affiliation to be of help and not waste time acting as though if the President fails it does not hurt everyone. What is done is done, but let's find a way to move forward.