I think it needs to be put out there so I decided to write this from a perspective of inspiration and healing, not any particular political position.
What if we witnessed the greatest breakthrough in political history?
What Would Mark Twain Say?
Obviously, politics may never be healed in the sense that everyone agrees on everything exactly the same way. However, what the vision is for the purpose of this blog is that everyone who is a decision maker agrees to work together with compromise and negotiation with a goal to create one of the most surprising and amazing moments in our political history. Yes. Imagine that.
Imagine what would happen when it becomes "cool" for both sides (Congress, Executive branch) to start working together. The news and media focus starts to shift from what's wrong to "look at what is being done to make things right". The public consensus starts to warm up to the idea. Hard to believe? So was the election.
The Vibe Shifts to a New Paradigm
The vision is that the "vibe" shifts and everyone who represents us (Congress, White House) starts working together through compromise to create positive changes for our country. The voice of the American people who they represent start encouraging it. This starts happening now, not four years from now. As Mark Twain reminds us, "life is short, break the rules". The vision for this is the realization that the "same old same old" style of polarization and opposition (rules) will not work for getting things done for those represented. "Life is short". Who wants to wait four years? Let's break those "rules" now! Again, in the December 2012 Huffington Post article "Healing America's Political Divide", the ideas were put forth for this. That was four years ago and here we are today, with the same challenge. Is it time to be open minded about a shift? A new paradigm? A breakthrough?
"It’s going to be difficult, but not impossible. Instead of demonizing each other, Haidt’s view is that we need to make the effort to understand and respect each other’s views even if we disagree. That doesn’t mean capitulating. It’s called being open-minded." - Huffington Post 2012.
Then we have the next part of the "quote" from Mark Twain that when applied to politics may be the most healing of all. The vision of "forgive quickly, kiss slowly, and love truly" is when the past is forgiven, freeing up a huge amount of energy to create positive changes together through compromise. Then the metaphor of "kiss slowly and love truly" applies to the what the healing of the politics would look like metaphorically as it shifts from division and stalemate to working together for positive change. Imagine that. Working together for positive change.
The process becomes something that once started, takes on a life of its own, and everyone (well almost) in the process loves the new dynamic, and the new vibe. The release of positive energy into the process of compromise and getting things done is amazing. The whole country gets excited over the "new vibe". Songs are written about it. History is made. Everyone wins. The world changes.
The Big Changes Coming May Take a Few Years
"What this means is that the current global frustration, cynicism, and despondency over current conditions is likely to remain present until real innovation, novelty, and the pursuit of unity associated with newness and a new era get markedly underway at the start of the next decade. However, that doesn't mean that the awareness and demand of necessary changes to be made cannot start before then." - Ray Merriman, 2017 Astrological Forecast
However the stars line up, there is always great resistance to change, and that may continue to grow until a point where the demands for change outweighs the resistance and a major reset starts to take place. For example, if nothing is done to make positive changes in our country for the next three years due to a stalemate in Congress, and the media's negative focus, the forces for change may create the opportunity for new leaders, new systems, new styles of government, and new economic models, not just in the U.S. but worldwide. Holding a positive vision for positive change for three years is the challenge if needed, even if we want it to happen now. Imagine the media focusing on positive changes that are happening. For three years.
The Unspoken Keyword for 2017
The vision is that inspiration becomes the unspoken keyword for politics in 2017 and beyond. Just like innovation in business creates new openings and solutions, inspiration and innovation in politics creates a new opening for positive negotiation and a compromised and fair results-driven agenda.
Imagine that if this kind of paradigm shift started to happen, what the results would be. Imagine one of the most amazing positive moments in political history happening and everyone getting credit for it, not just one person or party.
This is just a vision. An idea. What is your vision? What do you want to see happen? Maybe we can all collectively create something that would not only happen here in the U.S. but have ripples across the world with other countries.
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one" - John Lennon , Imagine
For similar perspectives, see the blogs:
Sacred Activism - Why I Stand in the Eye of the Hurricane
Inspiration - The Keyword for 2017
notes/ resources etc
In December 2012 the Huffington Post published an article "Healing America's Political Divide". That was five years ago and here we are today...are they discussing it now?
Yes, sort of...after the election...11/21/16 Three Ways to Heal a Divided Trump America
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-singh/3-ways-to-heal-a-divided-_b_13069740.html
March 14 2017 - Changing How We Heal Political Divisions Just Might Help Us Heal Them
- Our Democracy may Depend on It
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/political-science-research-michael-neblo_us_58c1d1e1e4b0ed71826b5854