Less vitriol, more happiness; We can do it

“Faith, Hope and Love….And the greatest of these is Love”

 

Whether or not you read a bible, there is a verse in the Good Book that I feel goes right along with the recently completed election.

The verse, from 1 Corinthians 13:13, says “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

To say the past campaign, especially for President of the United States and other nasty races, have left a bad taste in my mouth is a gross understatement.

All sides of government, whether there is a party affiliation or not, could be found guilty of crossing the line of civility, in my opinion.

Many, including me, feel since the COVID pandemic, our society has become one of more hate and ill will, if two people don’t see eye to eye, on whatever topic you may choose.

The hate, pure vitriol, that has become so glaringly obvious is sad, to say the least.

In case you are wondering, one definition of vitriol is:bitterly harsh or caustic language or criticism.

Political commentators spewing angry vitriol. Rumor has always played a role in polictics, but rarely have the backstage operatives been so adroit, and so cynical in their use of the term vitriol.

All one had to do for the past several weeks was just have their television on.

It didn’t matter what channel. All of the local stations, and national ones as well, were packed with commercials of hate, negativity, just downright nastiness.

Faith? Hope? In what?

Not one politician has honestly said anything that #1 – I believe and #2 anything that I trust.

Love? It used to be we could have conversations and even if two people were on opposite sides, they could still be friends and not think so negatively of the other person.

Many of us seasoned citizens – not senior citizens – have been through enough cycles of general elections that we have seen our share of negative advertising.

However, this time around, in 2024, it has clearly been worse than I can ever recall. I couldn’t stand to watch the television with the onslaught of “advertising with pitch forks.” Just pure nastiness from “both sides.”

The nasty comments, lies, unfounded truths. You name it, it became sickening to me and I, for one, am glad it is pretty much over…. untill the next time.

Since COVID, when we were locked down and excluded from pretty much all of society in general, there seems to be a new breed of human out there.

One that is constantly angry, negative, bitter about everything and spewing venom.

Thankfully, I know there are many good, happy, civil folks, out there still. I think we for the most part, tend to lay low in the weeds in seasons like what we just came though with the past election.

I look forward to the time those of us who consider ourselves good people, that we get back out in the mainstream and spread happiness, encouragement, be uplifting, and yes, show love to one another!

I know there are folks out there that do not share in the beliefs that many of us that believe in God do.

And that’s fine. Your choice.

But that won’t prevent us from praying, for everyone. That God would restore the sense of faith, hope and love – that seems to have taken a back seat to less pleasant things in so many people’s lives.

I’m thankful, in this Thanksgiving season (almost), that I cling to my faith that God will restore.

And the hope that I have, of a better life, after I am gone.

And, I am still a work in progress, on sharing the love that God intended, for all of us.

So I’d like to challenge you. Make a point to smile more, be happier.

Go have a coffee and chat with friends without leaving angry or hateful. We can do this.

We can become a better society once again…. I hope!

Contact Dave at editor@pageone-inc.com