Stand United for Your Mental Health!
I remember the terrible day when the United States was attacked by terrorists on 9-11. While we were shocked by the travesty, we were also amazed by the heroism of so many of our people. Then another thing happened, by and large, our country came together as a whole, as one body, as a UNITED States. There seemed to be peace and differences seemed less important.
Slowly that bond began slipping away. With the last and current Presidential administrations our country has become polarized even further. I would even go so far as saying we have not been so divided since the Revolutionary War.
Without getting into the politics of these differences in philosophy and practices, what is often missing is respect for differing view points. There is certainly passion in the messages, but often without recognition that it is because of the founding principals of the UNITED STATES, that we can voice our differences. Again, though, we are the UNITED States. We can disagree. We operate under the guidelines of a majority rule, not a dictatorship. How we give voice to the message can either perpetuate the division, or offer a respect that allows for disagreement.
Why am I, a mental health provider, concerned about unity or at least discussions of differences with respect? Well in general I believe in the better good of our country as a whole. But I also believe in what goes around, comes around. Specifically, if we throw out venomous rhetoric, we alienate the very person(s) with whom we are trying to communicate. If, however, we explain, calmly, rationally, our view point, at the very least the other person will hear our message. And don’t you feel better after a peaceful discussion versus a heated argument? Often there are commonalities we overlook. These common threads are what we should be seeking, not the division.
So have the discussions. Seek common threads. Seek solutions. Be respectful. And remember we are the people of the UNITED States. Together we are strong voice to the world.
May your path offer you opportunites to stand UNITED but always with respect to division.