I know I have strong opinions, but I like to think of myself as the “Velvet Hammer.” I ask the tough questions, I consider the tough opinions but I do it in a nice way. I’ve been lucky enough to have good relationships with people all across the spectrum of ideas and I think that makes for a healthy lifestyle.
Everyone doesn’t agree with me. I was sharing this idea with a friend and she said, “Oh, that’s explains it. You were exposed to them!” People with different ideas are not like people with the coronavirus, you can’t catch ideas. In fact, explaining your ideas to someone who disagrees with you (if they will let you) will not only secure your thought process but you just might learn something from the other person.
I learned this at many family holiday dinner tables with extended family. My father loved to talk politics and he was a bit of a “needler.” If he could get a rise out of someone, it was a good day for him. It aggravated me at the time, especially when I was a teen and knew everything. But now, I’m thankful. My father taught me to think for myself.
I am a proud conservative, but I love that I can hold a conversation with people on a wide range of topics. We are a divided country, but it does not have to be that way. I think it’s time we tried a new path.
