I Have a Few Suggestions for the Presidential Candidates

You may have noticed that we are in the middle of a presidential election.  Actually, this isn’t the election yet, it’s just the primaries which means the election is yet to come.   I don’t get into politics here at the Point, so I won’t discuss candidates or parties….y’all can hash that out for yourself on Facebook and Twitter.

What I want to talk about is behavior.  I mean doggone!

I can’t believe how these candidates are acting.  You can’t let your kids watch the debates, unless it’s to show them what immaturity and vulgarity looks like on adults.  “See kids, that’s what you will look like in the future if you don’t start being nice to your brother.”  Why is this type of behavior OK?  Have reality TV and social media bullying actually influenced our leaders?

I’m not sure how these politicians are getting away with it when an everyday Joe gets attacked and torn to shreds if he says anything close to what these guys are saying.  People lose their jobs for acting like this.  Remember the girl who Tweeted something derogatory about AIDS in Africa while she was taking off on a plane and by the time she had landed she had been fired from her job and her life was ripped apart?  I’m not defending her Tweet, but it’s no worse than the kinds of things some of these candidates are saying with confidence.

Can you tell I’m worked up?  That’s because I have children who will inherit this mess.

So what can we do about it?

First, we can stop doing it to each other.  Even if you have a serious issue with someone, you don’t need to insult them.  It’s the worst way to actually fix a problem.  Having been called some pretty awful things myself, I have never thought to myself, “You know what?  They’re right!  I should change that about myself!”  If we disagree with someone, how about let’s just tell them without being insulting or acting like we know for sure what their motives are.  If we have to tear someone down to make our point then it doesn’t need to be made.

Second, we can remember the Golden Rule.  Everyone knows it, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Even if you’re not a Christian this is applicable.  There’s “karma”, the “law of attraction”, even Disney teaches us that if we will do anything for power we end up losing (didn’t you see “The Lion King”?!).  Seriously, being nice to someone who has been rude or offensive doesn’t come naturally to anyone.  We have to tell ourselves to do it.  When I am treated poorly by someone I have to have an internal dialog to remind myself that they are hurting or that I have a goal to be above that kind of behavior.

For example, this week I shared this picture on Facebook and Instagram:

After posting it I had dozens of comments telling me it isn’t turning back, it’s springing forward.  Yeah, I know.  I just thought it was funny.  As time went on some of the messages got more…..let’s say…..passionate.  One woman called me me a moron for not knowing that time goes forward in the spring.  Another gal suggested I don’t care about people because I misled them about the time change and another wrote things I can’t repeat on my G-rated blog.  Now, really folks, is that necessary?

But then, if our world leaders are acting like that……

So you know, I don’t ever reply to those kinds of messages; I generally delete them, move along and keep enjoying my day.

Lastly, let’s remember that we are being watched by the next generation.  Little eyes are everywhere and they see what we are doing.  They may not be looking at your Facebook posts, but they see your heart and how you treat people.  It’s a constant opportunity to improve my own attitude by remembering that I am influencing theirs.  Do not underestimate the power of your example!

So my message to the presidential candidates is the same thing I tell my kids when they are saying rude things to each other…here it is…..you ready?….

BE NICE!

I’ll get off my soapbox now.  I may not change how the presidential candidates talk to each other, but I can change me.  I can be kind even if I vehemently disagree with someone.  I can remember that I don’t always have to prove that I am right.  I can love my enemies.  We don’t always see it, but there’s a ripple effect when we make a change and if we all do it then maybe it will have a big impact.

Will you join me in this challenge to make your little corner of the world a better place by treating others (even the people who are difficult) with kindness?

HOP over to Facebook to continue the conversation.