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Michael Kelly
Ti seems to me that how you think is shaped by how you think of the Words you use. This probably goes opposite of what some may think but I believe it bears examination albeit privately and in reflection.
I have noticed that some people use words descriptively, generally using words that are descriptive of what they see, feel, and combine together and in a reactive manner.
Others use words as what I see as an attempt to influence thinking by others, sort of like a definitional Box, where if I were to say a word often enought your reaction would be to fit yourself into that descriptive Box.
I see this is a contrast of methodology that creates differences that are at work in our population and are making people so dug in that they won't see a broader picture. In fact, the differences are blinding to the overall picture.
In writing this, I have consciously chosen to avoid labelling "Sides" as I see this as just another way of strengthening the difference. In Family Law, the Forms used here in California to describe why the Petitioner, the person initiating the breakup, are offered to check a Box that describes the Reason for the breakup and that Box is labelled 'Irreconcilable Difference" and there you have it, that's sufficiently a description to satisfy a Court in saying that these two life partners are throwing in the towel, calling it quits, burning bridges, breaking bonds, tearing Souls etc etc. A cheapening of what our language should be.
Perhaps I myself, have used words that have hurt others and I feel bad about this. My own personal inventory of my Word Selection Machine seems to be clouded at times with Emotional Responses, perhaps a desire to Retaliate, or Surprise and Shock or even Shame someone else into a kind of 3 point Verbal Takedown, kind of a I gotcha this time there you Farley Gig.
Of course, we can even use Fake Emitional Reaction to manipulate others, which is clever but ultimately pointless. Okay, I think we all get it and we all need to be more gracious to one another.
I have always liked the Voice of Merle Haggard, he had a voice that could register Emotion in the words of a simple song. There is one Song that he sang that I listen to when I want to calm down, and reflect on what is important to myself, and the Song means a lot to me. Perhaps you may want to listen to it, its on YouTube and it is entitled "What a Friend We Have In Jesus": Maybe give it a listen.
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. Personally, I believe if the shadow classmates you so often refer to....if they truly exist.... would come on board, they would be met with friendly open arms and I'll bet we could have a great time.....R's, D's & I's. Lots of stories to be told I would wager. I used to really like Mike Lorts' stories of his youth. They would find we Conservative Republicans are just normal, patriotic, empathetic people who do not apologize for being concerned about our country and all its citizens.
