Going Apolitical

The image above is from a recent Facebook quiz I took that actually had real questions. I've always thought that I was in the middle of the political spectrum. It was very interesting to see my beliefs actually displayed on a graph. I've called myself a Libertarian in the past, mostly because I am not Democrat or Republican. As I've learned more about Libertarianism, I've found that it runs the gamut in beliefs. The common denominator is free will and self-responsibility. People believing in totally opposite things, but respecting each others right to free will and taking responsibility for it AND still finding themselves under the same umbrella - now that's a political party I want to be affiliated with. Wait, I think my post said I was going apolitical :)

It's no wonder the news irritates me these days. You're either right or left. If you don't believe the same thing as me (general me), well then you're just plain wrong and misguided and let me tell you how. I'm tired of people complaining without offering solutions. Someone that works for my husband made up the rule last year that you're not allowed to bitch about your job unless you are actively looking for another. Interestingly enough, he was the whiniest employee, but he is now in New Mexico so he whined while finding himself a way out. If only the same could be applied to politics. Political arguments that are only complaints and no talk of solutions amount to little more than whining. In recent years, this whining has been taken to a new level because it is legitimized by being aired on umpteen news networks. It seems that all you need is an opinion to become a political correspondent these days. Then there are the the "news" blogs which have become a source of news for people. Long gone are the days of Cronkite where only the facts are delivered and without personal opinion. It's not hard to find something online to support an argument and accept is as fact because it supports what you want to believe.

No one likes to be around the friend that is ALWAYS complaining about their life yet never takes any action to change their circumstances. I really see this as no different.

What it all boils down to is that trying to keep up with what is going on in the country just doesn't feel good to me. Arguing when it's clear that only one person can be right and each side is fighting for the last word doesn't feel good. Reading about things that raise my blood pressure doesn't feel good. I can't help but remember something I was taught in Sunday school as a young child. It was basically about feeling whether or not the spirit of the Lord would feel invited by what you are giving your attention to. You're emotions are what tell you that. If it doesn't feel good, you're not inviting the spirit. If it doesn't feel good, you are only hurting yourself by remaining in that place.

With all that said, I just want to feel good. I got sucked in hard by the need to feel informed during the election. I am now trying to let go of that need. Some might see it as irresponsible to not being informed about the country, I see it as a way to feel better about the country. If all news, good and bad, was delivered on a daily basis - the bad news would be just a blip on the radar. I am a half-full sort of girl so I refuse to listen to doomsayers. You can show me all of the data you want to and I am still going to be hopeful for this world. That's just how I am.