I worry each day that we find new reasons to hate each other.
I remember a simpler time when disagreeing could be done respectfully and the more we spoke to each other, the better the solution at the end of the conversation was.

We dehumanize each other too easily. We listen to the talking heads on tv and online spit out words of distrust and we eat it up as if it were this morning breakfast.

At the end of the day its fear. People are afraid of each other and fear I know all to well. I live with fear every day. I have panic attacks for no good reason, or at least I thought there was no good reason. I looked deeper into how terrified a panic attack can make you feel and learned from that feeling.

Fear, no matter how bad, is only as powerful as you allow it to be. Often times fear can make you join groups of like minded people of hate because you feel more powerful and feel a sense of belonging. But the fear still remains, sometimes replaced by rage.

Stop letting people tell you who you should hate, who you should fear and open your heart. I know how corny this sounds but believe me I know fear better then most. Love is always the answer. Empathy and understanding.

Many of these people feel as if they are simply not listened too and maybe that's true but nothing justifies hate. Have the dificult conversations with your neighbors. Understand that just because someone may not look like you, pray like you or even vote like you do, does not make them any less important, any less loving of their family. We are our brothers keeper.