To the Editor:
America is experiencing Differences Of Opinion (DOOs, an acronym I coined) on many levels, not only resulting in a close election but whether the results in all states should stand and possibly ‘other options’ to discuss what happens next. We gain insight when we map legalities out yet also recognize the emotional and belief components in any situation.
From the grassroots level, any person can be ‘of two minds’ or both agree or disagree with aspects of almost any issue.
When two people are weighing in on things, that level of variation and complexity compounds quickly. We know there are ‘laws and foundations’ but we are also discovering repeatedly there are gaps and dysfunction in the systems.
Even for a person trying to decipher what to do for their nutrition to prevent insulin resistance that leads to diabetes, there is a lack of information shared early on in life and some conflicting theories as to whether food, exercise, stress, and lifestyle makes a difference or not.
So even in these basic ways people are left in the dark or left without support and accurate information to make adjustments and stay the course to health, safety and support. In terms of interpersonal interactions there are laws and guidelines, but not clear pathways to ‘file complaints and concerns’, explore one’s feelings and beliefs as well as consider those of others and look for middle ground or amicable ways to clarify social, physical and other boundaries.
The point of being in community at the local, state, national and global level is to ‘make peace, not war, and have friends who can help work things out to allow people to live and not be in fear or pushed to the brink of extinction physically, socially or otherwise.
Even prisons are under scrutiny for ways they treat people humanely even if in for a life sentence or serious crime. With COVID at our door, we are all feeling challenged to remember ‘what life was like and could evolve to be’ if things ever get back ‘to normal’.
Many are concerned not only with the military gaining more control over public health but also artificial intelligence spying and redefining human beings. WilliamHenry.net and NoLiesRadio.org among many others discuss taboo topics while it is still legal to do so.
We all deserve a shot at hearing the theories to consider what is going on with individuals, communities, states, and countries as 2021 approaches.
Let’s keep in mind the DOOs and Don’ts in life in terms of not silencing others completely but rather to use an open ‘What IF” mindset to hear the fears, concerns and hopes behind what someone is saying and find ways to make peace, not war on any level.
I share many ideas and resources on my blog forum Livfully.org . I network and consult with people can be reached on my FB Catherine Palmer Paton page.