Deeply saddened

I’m deeply saddened by the polarised environment that we’re living in. Too often, it seems to be the source of substantial tension between family members and between friends, sometimes even to a breaking point. It’s disheartening to see such charged emotion challenging our relationships, especially if these interactions are fueled by anger rather than an actual opportunity to share our different viewpoints. I think most people don’t like to argue -- I certainly don’t! -- but these days it can be difficult avoiding heated conversations. I’ve been thinking about ways to address and/or even avoid these charged discourses altogether.

It’s certainly an easier and a less contentious experience to speak with those who are more or less on the same page as we’re about a particular topic or situation. In those instances, we're free to commiserate and share our feelings. This type of mutual connection can be satisfying because it affirms our point of view and shows that we’re part of a group.

Obviously, the more challenging and potentially lively discussion arises when we converse with those who feel differently than we do. We need to be careful with these types of conversations as they’re tricky and can be doomed from the start. Before engaging in such a conversation, it’s best to access our own emotional state as well as the emotions of the other parties. Respect of other points of view is essential in these instances, for everyone involved. such opportunities can stretch our minds if we’re allowed to articulate our viewpoint and then keep an open mind while others speak theirs. If this communication can be carried out free of confrontation, then it can be rewarding and productive. On the flip side, if the parties involved feel too emotionally charged about the issue at hand, then communication breakdown can easily occur, and voices and tempers may rise.

These days, I’m of the mindset that if we can’t accept different opinions from our own, then we might be better not broaching sensitive topics at all. One sure solution is to steer clear of topics that may be sensitive for us or for those we’re conversing with. are we willing to jeopardise an important relationship over a difference of opinions? And is it so hard to accept that someone close to us has an opinion that’s different from our own?

That’s my food for thought this week.