Can we at least be "Kindergarten Kind"?

"Love Difficult People, You’re one of them." This was a quote I recently read from someone I look up to very much. His name is Bob Goff. Bob has a special gift of making seemingly complex social situations incredibly simple. I think we can all use a little more simple wisdom in this complex times.

Election seasons are always full of escalated emotions and extreme levels of venom and division that is always somehow justified by politicians, the media, and unfortunately one another. In this particular season, the nuclear reaction of COVID-19, racial tension, and economic shakeup have officially elevated the level of intensity to “Face Melter.” 

Before we even realize it, we begin to think and behave in ways we wouldn’t, in our right minds, condone, much less teach our children to act to one another. 

Can you imagine a kindergarten class where we allowed and even encouraged children to treat one another like we commonly spectate, encourage, and may even participate in ourselves? If I try, I can imagine such a situation, and it’s all wrong.

Here is what I’ve experienced:

1. I’m in meaningful relationship with so many amazing, caring, and generous people on both sides of the political spectrum. Regardless of who they support, I believe they want what’s best for people. They all believe in their version of the “facts” which seem completely logical to them. They have all been hurt or violated throughout their lives and those hurts inform and steer their logic. Sometimes, it simply overwrites their logic. 
2. People who are usually kind, have become quite the opposite. Often these people justify their unkindness by some level of belief on either side of the political spectrum. But these politically driven justifications destroy real relationships. On the flip side, the unkindness often earns some level of superficial applause from the counterfeit relationships with others who agree with us politically  
3. The more I watch politicians and media pundits, it seems there is a growing majority who are more excited to be important or to entertain than they are to create actual unity in our country. The fake sincerity, the changing of their long displayed positions, and pandering to whatever the national “moment” happens to be is dripping with tactics and devoid of any genuine care
4. I have had several extended conversations with those of different political beliefs, different races, or both that have ended in tears of mutual brokenness, compassion, and a renewed resolve to care for one another even though we have different ideas and experiences. 

I’m assuming that I’m not alone in these experiences. Governments are incapable of changing people. PEOPLE decide to change themselves. PEOPLE decide to spew venom, or to speak kindness. PEOPLE decide to draw and enforce lines of division. Real, regular people…not politicians, pundits, or philosophical belief systems. 

You and I decide. Every single day. With every single interaction. 

I strongly encourage you to take an honest look at how you view and treat those who believe differently than you do. Would it pass the “kindergarten class” test? 

Keep supporting your political beliefs whichever way you lean, that is the beauty of America!

But above all else, show love to one another. Listen to one another. Don’t make the world the pin cushion for your offense. Instead be willing to be a soft place to land for the hurting. And if you can’t muster up some genuine care, I think we’re all capable of Kindergarten-kind.  

Remember, love difficult people, you’re one of them.

Paul J Daly is a serial entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of the brand-first marketing agency, Congruent, author, speaker and is committed to making businesses and their people better at connecting on a human level through his work, weekly Clarity Compressed Podcast, and connecting with you here.