Living through the dynamics of the past decade has left many of us exhausted. Many have thrown up their hands and declared, Enough is Enough! We grow weary of hearing the continued political spin and narratives. The rhetoric contains often misquoted and/or misapplied messaging aimed at inciting anger and confusion. Often times lead us to a stalemate between our opposing views.
Thomas Paine spoke to the seemingly impossible odds of the American Revolution by reminding readers that the hardest struggles bring the most meaningful victories. His stirring words in The American Crisis— “These are the times that try men’s souls”—encouraged Patriots who pledged their lives to the fight for independence. Our Founding Fathers understood the power of words, the value of commitment and perseverance, principles I was taught early in life.
One of my parents’ favorite reminders was: “You are what you think, you are what you eat, and you are what you do.” Those words remain deeply ingrained in me. Alongside the lessons of responsibility, I was taught and held accountable for my thoughts, words, and actions. Hard lessons taught me that wisdom grows from responsibility, and wisdom brings the ability to discern what is productive versus what is destructive, both within myself and in the world around me.
Our nation was built on the pursuit of knowledge, growth, and progress. John Adams saw wisdom as the product of purposeful education and critical thinking, the kind that keeps a society vibrant. George Washington modeled this wisdom through honorable service and his lifelong commitment to the Rules of Civility—daily practices of dignity, self-restraint, and respect for others.
My values are rooted in my Christian faith, which reminds me not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of my mind. That renewal begins with taking responsibility for the thoughts I allow to take root. Each day, I seek to clear away what does not align with truth and to fill my mind with what is good, honest, and life-giving. This renewal shapes not only my words but also my actions, guiding me to live as a more productive citizen.
Faith is my anchor. It creates boundaries that steady me when discouragement creeps in. I remember that I am not alone, and that clarity comes not from the noise around me, but from the deeper source of my faith.
Perhaps turning inward toward humility, reflection, and empathy could help ease the friction that divides us. It might even lead us to a new path, one where our differences are not roadblocks but opportunities for stronger, more meaningful bipartisanship in our leadership.
The “Rules of Civility” are not such a bad thing after all.
1 comment
It’s exhausting because we are trying to undo 100 year of Marxist progression, and most people are now aware that Marxists are EVERYWHERE in the USA. However, Trump has done more in 8 months to tear out Marxism than we have accomplished in the past 80 years. Look at how the banshees wail!
And you can always take heart knowing that, no matter what happens, in the end Jesus wins.