If you been following this blog for a while, you may have noticed that I stay away from writing about religion and politics. After all, it is for people who are looking for silence, solitude and simplicity and who sometimes like to be alone. I’ve tried to keep the focus clear and certainly have not wanted to alienate anyone by including my personal religious and political inclinations.
That being said, you can well imagine the debate I’ve been having with myself about whether to blog about the political button that I’ve started wearing for the candidate of my choice. I’ve decided to write about the process, but not divulge my choice.
It is a big decision for me to wear a button. To begin with, a powerful case can be made that wearing a political button is counterproductive to achieving silence, solitude and simplicity. Politics is NONE of these. But I believe in the candidate on my button and want to stand up and be counted. As the saying goes, voting isn’t the only way to express our choices.
As I wear the button, I ask myself what I am learning that nourishes my longing for silence, solitude and simplicity. If nothing else, I’m learning the benefits of staying positive. If asked, and only if asked, I say a few things that I like about my candidate, but offer no comparisons or negatives about the other candidate. If someone doesn’t agree with me, fine: “That’s the democratic way; aren’t we fortunate to be able to vote.”
I must tell you that not everyone comments on my button. In fact only a minority, and I don’t bring it up. I carry a few extra buttons to give to anyone who seems interested, but so far I’ve had very few askers or takers. What has surprised me is the number of people, who for a variety of well-thought-out reasons, don’t want to wear a button. Case in point: unless you work for the Democratic or Republican Nation Committee, you just don’t wear a button on the job.
All in all there are many risks to consider. But, there are many benefits, as well. Thus far, as I walk around wearing a very public statement, I also carry a very private sense of silence, solitude and simplicity. So far, so good.
That being said, you can well imagine the debate I’ve been having with myself about whether to blog about the political button that I’ve started wearing for the candidate of my choice. I’ve decided to write about the process, but not divulge my choice.
It is a big decision for me to wear a button. To begin with, a powerful case can be made that wearing a political button is counterproductive to achieving silence, solitude and simplicity. Politics is NONE of these. But I believe in the candidate on my button and want to stand up and be counted. As the saying goes, voting isn’t the only way to express our choices.
As I wear the button, I ask myself what I am learning that nourishes my longing for silence, solitude and simplicity. If nothing else, I’m learning the benefits of staying positive. If asked, and only if asked, I say a few things that I like about my candidate, but offer no comparisons or negatives about the other candidate. If someone doesn’t agree with me, fine: “That’s the democratic way; aren’t we fortunate to be able to vote.”
I must tell you that not everyone comments on my button. In fact only a minority, and I don’t bring it up. I carry a few extra buttons to give to anyone who seems interested, but so far I’ve had very few askers or takers. What has surprised me is the number of people, who for a variety of well-thought-out reasons, don’t want to wear a button. Case in point: unless you work for the Democratic or Republican Nation Committee, you just don’t wear a button on the job.
All in all there are many risks to consider. But, there are many benefits, as well. Thus far, as I walk around wearing a very public statement, I also carry a very private sense of silence, solitude and simplicity. So far, so good.
