In 2016 I was a registered republican and voted for Trump. I was happy he won, and for the next three years, I bet I was insufferable. That last year of his presidency, many things chipped away at my support of the GOP. Trump's handling of the pandemic, the rhetoric towards protesters, but most importantly, listening to people, mostly friends.
A mutual friend of ours once rocked my entire world view with the simple quote "Your experience is not everyone else's." I try to approach every issue now as both myself, and as someone else who may disagree. To open myself to the possibility of being wrong. I am able to do that because I have at my disposal so many great people who can engage in conversations beyond the superficial, and talk about ideas, not just small talk. Every conversation I have with you and every article you write I take away something that I did not have before. One more piece of the world that I never looked at that I now see clearer.
We're all works in process, and we're only done when we're in the box, and while I am happier than I was 8 years ago, I was pissed at the election results. You had no small part in moving my world view, so if nothing else, take away that one less person was happy at Trump's re-election because of you. Thank you.
Dude, I keep meaning to share a meaningful response to this. Thank you for sharing it. It really shows how we can change when we listen and learn more.
I've also loosened up on some super liberal views that could be viewed as more extreme. I think living in Kansas for 7 years gave me a different perspective and I can see how extremism on the left might also alienate Republicans, like extremists on the right alienate people like me. I wish there were more of a middle ground. Things are so polarized now and I don't see a good solution in the near future.
I think working with people at the hospital gives me a different view as well. We serve people no matter what their political leanings are and one of my favorite people in my outpatient groups is a Republican woman. We share similar experiences in other ways, like our mental health condition and symptoms, and she respectfully doesn't talk politics in group.
I wish people could get together more on other topics and at least find some common ground and understanding.
Thanks for always being real. Your stories have helped me with my own struggles- I’m glad you aren’t going away and look forward to reading whatever you choose to share
In 2016 I was a registered republican and voted for Trump. I was happy he won, and for the next three years, I bet I was insufferable. That last year of his presidency, many things chipped away at my support of the GOP. Trump's handling of the pandemic, the rhetoric towards protesters, but most importantly, listening to people, mostly friends.
A mutual friend of ours once rocked my entire world view with the simple quote "Your experience is not everyone else's." I try to approach every issue now as both myself, and as someone else who may disagree. To open myself to the possibility of being wrong. I am able to do that because I have at my disposal so many great people who can engage in conversations beyond the superficial, and talk about ideas, not just small talk. Every conversation I have with you and every article you write I take away something that I did not have before. One more piece of the world that I never looked at that I now see clearer.
We're all works in process, and we're only done when we're in the box, and while I am happier than I was 8 years ago, I was pissed at the election results. You had no small part in moving my world view, so if nothing else, take away that one less person was happy at Trump's re-election because of you. Thank you.
Dude, I keep meaning to share a meaningful response to this. Thank you for sharing it. It really shows how we can change when we listen and learn more.
I've also loosened up on some super liberal views that could be viewed as more extreme. I think living in Kansas for 7 years gave me a different perspective and I can see how extremism on the left might also alienate Republicans, like extremists on the right alienate people like me. I wish there were more of a middle ground. Things are so polarized now and I don't see a good solution in the near future.
I think working with people at the hospital gives me a different view as well. We serve people no matter what their political leanings are and one of my favorite people in my outpatient groups is a Republican woman. We share similar experiences in other ways, like our mental health condition and symptoms, and she respectfully doesn't talk politics in group.
I wish people could get together more on other topics and at least find some common ground and understanding.
Thanks for reading and commenting, as always.
-Lisa
Thanks for always being real. Your stories have helped me with my own struggles- I’m glad you aren’t going away and look forward to reading whatever you choose to share
Thank you! I’m so glad we are friends and that the stories are helpful!