Tuesday; June 26

Have you noticed how easy it is to argue policies?  Whether it is immigration, health care, social injustices, or whatever else the issue of the day happens to be, it is simple to develop a philosophy and be adamant in our defense of it.  We can sit in our “ivy covered castles” and remain unyielding about what we know to be right for the rest of the world. 
While it is easy to develop a uncompromising ideology when it comes to rules, the thing that creates a problem for us is people.  The less we see the “policies” and the closer we are to the “people”, the more difficult things become.  As long as I don’t know any aliens ... or poor ... or mentally challenged ... or addicted people I can remain staunch I in my principles, but when a personal element becomes involved it is more difficult to toe the hardline.  That transition is called “compassion”. 
It is great to be able to exchange ideas based upon clean, clinical circumstances; but we change the world one living person at a time. If we are going to make a genuine difference, we have to be willing to climb out of our vacuum-sealed world and begin to be influenced by real-life people.  Yes, it makes arguments and ideals more difficult to sustain, but it makes our lives more productive.
Let’s be willing to have discussions about the philosophies and principles that make up the fabric of our community, but let’s never lose sight of the human element.  That is where we will be able to genuinely display love to our neighbor.
          Think About It!

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