Since first hearing those words strung together, barely a week has gone by when I haven't reflected on how living my life this way would be undeniably healthier. This is especially so whenever I re-hear poisonous thoughts that have crossed my mind when interacting with certain people. I suppose it's fair to say that the phrase unconditional positive regard has begun to help me at least raise my baseline for being triggered by some people.
But soon after I begin congratulating myself for evolving, something gets said that sets me back. Over the several months I've been working on getting healthier in this domain, I've noticed a common element in my setbacks: Politics and the toxic air infusing modern-day conversations about that subject. When did the demonizing of people with views different from our own take such an ugly turn? Connected to that question is another aimed at myself. Reflect on it with me only if you think it's worth it. In my remaining years, can I evolve enough to give others unconditional positive regard, more than just in passing?
"When did the demonizing of people with views different from our own take such an ugly turn? " I can tell you when! When Trump was elected, the most toxic & divisive person to ever live. Pat, it's way more than "views" that are different and created this 'ugly turn. I think you are soft selling it. The backbone of humanity in America has been broken. This administration and its MAGATs lack humanity, ethics, integrity, empathy, courage, morals. These are not "views." these are essential elements of being human and caring for others. Would you ask this question in Germany in 1939 - "When did the demonizing of people with views different from our own take such an ugly turn?" It's not 'views' it's humanity through and through. I say make it UGLIER.
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