I’m going to start a new movement. A movement that is so new and so exciting everyone will want to join in.  I am going to start a movement that simply states that everyone has a right to their own opinion.  Crazy, right?  Yes, I’m being a little sarcastic but I am fed up with the thought that we all have to agree on everything. If I do not particularly agree with someone’s stand today, I run the risk of offending them.  We are all so easily offended in 2017.

Back when I was a kid, it was harder to get offended as I remember.  Unless someone overtly called you a name or made fun of your clothes, you pretty much were not offended.  Yes, feelings got hurt but we got over it for the most part. And when was it decided and by whom that we all had to have the same opinions?  Isn’t that a form of brainwashing?  Isn’t one of the beauties of living in America that we have the right to think for ourselves and, therefore, have the right to hold tight to our own thoughts and opinions?

I’m purposely turning off the television and lessening my time on the Internet.  There are too many factions fighting against each other because neither side agrees with the other.  Should we not embrace those differences and work together to find common ground?  Oh that’s right, there doesn’t seem to be such a thing any longer.  It’s either my way or you are completely wrong.  

There are days I feel so sad that our world seems to be dividing more every single day.  People’s anger is so out of control. Violence is rampant because we don’t see things the same.  That seems like groups are holding those who do not think the same hostage.  Threats of violence have never been the answer.

Of course, there are issues that need discussed and there are things that need to be changed but have we not learned how to remain civilized?  Can we engage verbally without the possibility of fisticuffs?  For me, no more “famous” people telling me that I am wrong and that I am the problem; while they totally ignore the rules of a civilized society.  No more yelling people on the news, screaming the same three thoughts over and over again.  In my little corner of the world, people I know are going to be free to have different opinions than me.  I want to foster calm and educational conversations about such things.

I’m saying no to being easily offended.  I’m saying no to being bullied because I have my own opinion.  I’m saying no to dirty, underhanded anonymous internet comments.  I’m going to “get over myself” and stop thinking that everyone has to think the same way like robots.  We are human with the ability to reason for ourselves.  I am going to embrace differences as well as civility.  I’m going to stop engaging in manipulating one-sided conversations.  I want to listen more and talk less.  I want to bring value to every person I meet.  All lives matter and we need to remember that simple fact.

You may not agree with the things I have written. I am well aware of that possibility. But this is my blog and I write about things that make me happy and make me sad.  Until there is no longer freedom of speech, I will do this same thing.  Honestly, I am worried about our world today with its aggression and extreme anger.  I can’t believe some of the things I hear people say.  I want the world to be a better place and my goal, as it has always been, is to make myself better with the hopes of making the world a little better along the way.