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Buckle up, folks, it’s election season, and things are already getting… colorful. Whether we’re dodging attack ads on TV, wading through heated social media posts, or trying to survive that one neighbor who suddenly thinks they’re a political analyst, staying positive can feel like an Olympic sport.
So, how can we be part of the solution instead of fanning the flames? How do we make it through without torching relationships or our sanity? I can’t promise you won’t have moments where you feel like flinging your remote at the TV or using bad words in a Facebook debate, but these tips might just help you keep your cool (and your friendships) intact over the next few months.
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1. Think Before You Speak (or Type)
If you have THOUGHTS in your head that you want to express (out loud or through your key board) …think for a minute before they come out of your mouth (or before you type them). Use a KINDNESS and EMPATHY filter!
The words you speak define you. Make sure to let the right kind of words out, even when you disagree.
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The words we speak DEFINE us.
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The Bible reminds us to love God, love our enemies, and love each other. In other words, there is NO PERSON we are exempt from loving.
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2. Choose Your Battles Wisely
Bob Goff, a respected speaker and writer, never lost a legal case in his career as a lawyer. He attributed the success to his ability to choose cases wisely, not his legal prowess. We can apply this by picking our battles wisely and not engaging in disputes over trivial matters.
Use wisdom in what battles you choose to fight.
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3. Step out of your comfort zone
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I like my comfort zone. It’s nice when the people think like me and agree with me. However, I’m making steps to enlarge my comfort zone. I want to learn from people who don’t look like me, vote like me or think Iike me.
I heard someone say that he tries to have someone on his right he thinks is a little bit crazy and someone on his left who’s a little bit crazy. It’s good to hear from a variety of perspectives.
It doesn’t mean you’re going to change your mind about how you’re going to vote, but it gives context and understanding. It may actually help sharpen your arguments and shape the way you think about things.
Do some people’s viewpoints bother me? YES! After talking do we still disagree? Yes. And it’s okay to respectfully agree to disagree.
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You may be misunderstood. That doesn’t make you a victim, it makes you a participant.
Bob Goff
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4. Digital Detox
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Let’s be real—doomscrolling never helped anyone. If you find yourself getting angry watching the news or reading social media posts – it might be time for a break. Call a friend and talk about anything but politics. Trust me, the news will still be there when you get back (unfortunately).
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5. Be Curious, Not Judgmental
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One practical way to foster understanding is to have a conversation with someone who holds a different opinion. Our differences can make us better! Invite someone to share a meal, and be willing to learn from their perspectives. You can still be kind to someone with whom you disagree. And remember, your neighbor/co-worker/fellow soccer mom is more than who they vote for, and so are you!
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Questions to Foster Understanding
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Here are some questions to ask and ways to respond when someone has a differing viewpoint and opinion:
- Tell me more about that.
- Can you help me understand why you feel that way?
- How did you come to that conclusion?
- I appreciate your experience with this.
- I’m listening.
- I hear what you are saying.
- I care about your perspective.
- I haven’t thought of it that way.
- Let me think about that before I respond.
- Thanks for your transparency.
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My hope is that we can all strive for respect, amid our differences. John 16 guides us to aspire to be one, acknowledging that unity doesn’t mean uniformity, but rather a shared commitment to curiosity, empathy, and genuine interest in one another.
Let’s build bridges of understanding and kindness, one conversation at a time.
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Those are my pro tips for surviving election season—because who doesn’t want to keep their sanity and their friendships intact? Got a tip of your own? Drop it in the comment box (you know, that tiny one up there by the title). I’d love to hear your wisdom—seriously, help me out!
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