Friends and Politics

 My liberal friends think that I am conservative. My conservative friends think that I am a liberal.  The word friends is the key word in both statements. I appreciate and benefit from the  perspectives of my friends especially when their insights challenge my thinking. Sometimes, my friends and I find common ground. Other times, we just agree that we are friends with different perspectives. 


I do not feel that I have a right to change the thinking of my friends and I appreciate that my friends do not attempt to change my views. We have dialogue. We discuss issues that impact us without hate. A person is entitled to think in a way that represents their values.


My friends and I worry less about what divides us and more about what unites us. We are Americans with different views. We have faith, but may worship differently. We care about our families and friends. What unites us is stronger than our differences. 


I truly appreciate my diverse group of friends.  I benefit from their perspectives especially when they are different from my own.  We are stronger than our differences.

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