
Hopefully by the time you are reading this, we have a clear winner in the United States presidential election. I am actually writing this a few days before. The victory is sure to upset some and elate others. What is important for all of us is to practice love and compassion to our fellow humans. Why? Not only is it the right thing to do, but as the Dalai Lama says above, without them humanity will not survive. Parents tell their children not to be cruel to those who disagree with them. I think most of us can recall a story when we were younger when we were told “Don’t pick on Bob and Betty just because they are different than you.” This was good advice then. Do you know what? It is still good advice. These same parents can often be the ones posted hateful messages online about opposing political views.
Isn’t it ironic that we have trouble as adults following advice we often give to children? It is true there were many issues that affect people’s lives on a very person level. I am not denying that. It is true that people have a lot of belief and passion when it comes to the issues near and dear to their hearts. That is good. We must stand up for our beliefs. That does not mean going to war with those whose beliefs differ from our own. They no more deserve to be put down for their beliefs than we do.
My challenge to each of you reading this is to find ways to demonstrate love and compassion for all of your neighbors. One thing that puts fear into leaders is to see people working together. A little bit of fear in our leaders is a good thing. ‘Divide and conquer’ is more than just a cliche, it is the truth. As has been demonstrated, when leaders just argue and blame, nothing gets solved. Let us not emulate that. Let us work together to create a better world for our children. Let us do this by using love and compassion.

