Many of us are looking forward to celebrating the love and enjoyment we
will experience with family and friends this holiday season.

But beware. This will not be a good time to debate politics!

In my many years of observing the ebb and flow of political opinions, I have
learned that there will always be differences. The animosity that sometimes
accompanies those differences is unnecessary and can be damaging to
our relationships with family and friends.

I remember my father arguing politics with two of his brothers at a family
gathering in the 1960’s. I was a young child, and all I remember is the anger
emitting from the loud conversation. I have no idea what the argument was
about.

Today, I am rarely shocked by anything I hear from the media; however, I
came close when I read that several of the television “hate merchants” had
advised their followers to stay away from friends and family at holiday get-
togethers if they favor a different political party than yours.

This is ridiculous and disturbing. If you can’t enjoy precious time with
friends and family due to political differences, what type of person have you
become?

Perhaps more importantly, what have we become as Americans?

When and why did politics become so personal, and why do so many
people listen to media “haters”?

It is unhealthy to allow hatred into your life.

I count my family and friends as blessings because I know I won’t always
have them.

If a friend or family member disagrees with you politically, do not discuss
politics. It is that simple!

People will believe what they want to believe. Let them.

Each one of us possesses the ability to shine brightly in so many ways. We
shine like the brightest stars when we think or speak of things that delight
us, like our children and grandchildren.

Since we are frail humans we also have faults. We become “dark” when we
think or speak of things that anger or disturb us.

There is a shining star in each one of us that far outweighs any darkness.

May we endeavor to find that bright star in each one of our friends and
family members during the holiday season and beyond.

We may discover that we have more in common than we realize.

May you and yours live in the Light of Peace this holiday season and
throughout 2027.