What's on your mind?

That is the question asked of literally billions of people multiple times a day on facebook. What's on your mind? It's an invitation to share, vent, exclaim, announce, teach, and even grieve. Some choose to share every move they make, even change of socks, every meal, every thought. Some choose to share very little. Some, sadly, just use it to gripe and tear others down.

Social media platforms can be tools to make the world seem smaller and the people we miss feel closer. Friends and family can be reunited and loves rekindled. I love twitter mainly for connecting with people I admire and how fast news spreads. If something happens we need to know about - or even stuff that we really don't need to know about - go to twitter. You'll get information faster than cable news. Unfortunately, these platforms can reveal things about people we thought we knew and love very much that we don't agree with or like very much. It's my belief that real friends and secure people that agree to disagree and move on, but some just enjoy the luxury of hiding behind a computer screen to spew their venom.

We're entering two seasons that are ripe with opportunity to build up or tear down. One is political. One is holiday.

As the presidential election gets closer - and God help us, it's not even 2016 yet -  people seem to get meaner. Not only that but so many fail to check simple fact before posting to social media. I have no problem debating issues or or flat out disagreeing with a candidate or a party line. But one thing I strive to do is 1) never make a friend feel like they are less of a person for having a different opinion, and 2) never making racist or disparaging remarks about a candidate. Every one of the men and women running for President, for the most part, are standing for issues in which they truly believe their position is the right thing for the country they love. I may not agree with them, but I don't think that makes them a bad person. Do I  think Donald Trump is a viable candidate for the highest office in the land? No way. Do I think he's evil? Well, not yet anyway.

We the People are never going to form a more perfect union if we don't talk to each other - and more importantly - listen to one another. Forming an opinion and getting stuck there doesn't help anyone grow or learn. Being willing to open one's mind, listen to differing opinions, and perhaps learning and growing from them, is the only way we are going to continue to progress. And calling everyone from one side of the aisle or the other 'idiots' or 'morons' or 'evil' does nothing for politics, not to mention the harm it causes to relationships. Instead, why don't you ask your different thinking friends and family why they think or vote the way they do and see if you can learn something or, at least, end up in a place of understanding and not anger.

Secondly: the Holidays. This is a busy season of celebration for people of many faiths and backgrounds, and there is room for everyone. Some of this goes back to educating ourselves on the similarities as well as the differences between Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even those who choose to focus on the more secular aspects of the season. Each group has a story they follow as truth. Each group has a right - a RIGHT - to express that story as their tradition dictates. And, even some of those traditions will be open to interpretation based on family and cultural backgrounds, area of the country or the world, and simple personal preference. Real tree or fake tree or no tree at all? Menorah or Muslim prayer cloth? A star or an angel? A baby in a manger, three kings, or a jolly man in a sleigh? There's room for all of it. We all hold on to what we believe is truth and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. It should never close off your brain or your heart or your ability to listen, learn, and experience new things, or even choose a new path.

Of course, it's not just this time of year that we should try to uphold this attitude. Wouldn't it just be nice if it was the norm?  This life is too short and to scary for us to help the bad guys tear each other down. Have a different opinion or a different desire and different interest - that's great. It would be boring if we were all the same. But, encourage each other to embrace the differences, and learn from them. If you just can't do that at least be kind in your disagreement, or perhaps just be quiet.

Build up.
Don't tear down.

Work on  it. I will, too.