I grew up blue in a little red state in a little red town. I played with the red kids. My blue parents didn’t put red parents down for believing Differently. That was great. We respected opinions and choices. Votes were our voices. We didn’t see Color— red or blue. Only people, and what's true— like a person's heart and character. Maybe— we can agree— You do you. I’ll do me.
I realize that living well is an art which can be developed. Of course, you will need the basic talents to build upon: They are a love of life and ability to take great pleasure from small offerings, and assurance that the world owes you nothing and that every gift is exactly that, a gift. That people who may differ from you in political stance, sexual persuasion, and racial inheritance can be founts of fun, and if you are lucky, they can become even convivial comrades.
Maya Angelou
“You do you, and I’ll do me!” What great advice. With this, the world is changed. Thank you, Dr. Bob
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I’m eternally hopeful.
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Very true Crystal. As kids, we do not think of all individuals as being the same because they belong to one group or another. We learn this as adults. In what is going on right now, it is important to separate the views and the actions of the leader from the party and determine if you agree or disagree with them. This is true for both blue and red. Vote for the person you most admire. That should eliminate the undecided vote. Here is wishing my Southern friends the best outcome on election day and for years to come. Allan
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I always appreciate your perspective. Thank you for reading and taking the time, Allan.
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Hi. I agree. Nonetheless, if Trump is re-elected, he will damage democracy even more than he already has. It’s imperative that Biden wins.
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Nonetheless…
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Yes!
“Out beyond the ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I will meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about”. Rumi
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Rumi is wise. My soul longs for the grass.
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So well said Crystal.
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Thank you, Perth Girl! ❤️
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Awesome post!
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Thank you, Nico!
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🙂🌏
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I love this Crystal! I grew up “blue” too, but in northern Minnesota where it seemed a lot of us were “blue”. Or so I thought anyway. Those were different times when we all weren’t so ready to get on our high horses of self-righteousness though, right?
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I’m tired of high horses. What happened to social etiquette?
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I know what you mean! But I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t get up on mine from time to time.
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Well, it’s okay. We all do.
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Nice
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Thanks, LA! ❤️
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I love this post. Everything starts with falling in love with life. Realizing that I can only know my own “house,” my opinion means nothing, although it’s fun to express with accepting people. Be well my friend.
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Hello Bryan! Thanks so much. “Everything starts with falling in love with life.” 👍🏻
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(Sigh….a deep sigh in hope…abiding).
Simple things bring me to tears these days. I dunno known why a prayer will bring about tears. It’s embarrassing, but it is.
Id like to think these spring from a fountain of hope, mercy and grace that had been long capped-off, and the many new prayers I see lately (and hear) spur me on to wake every day to find like minded souls living imperfect lives; yet are willing to see beyond the skin and into the heart of any matter. See? Prayer. It’s how some choose to live. It is beautiful!
Here is the well of hope, mercy and grace that would rise up from the darkness and sparkle in the light; in relief.
God bless you blue girl!
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Your tears mean your prayers are real. I understand how it is to feel everything deeply—including hope, mercy, and grace. Thanks so much for visiting!
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Great Post! I hate how Trump has turned people and families against one another. I pray there is no violence at voting precincts. But it will not surprise me. I saw and heard him ask his base to go and watch. That is completely against the law. I hope he is defeated, but not because he is red, but instead to get him out of office before a civil war or more problems happen.
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Hello Shay! I hope that the non-voters in the last election show up in numbers. I appreciate you for reading!
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If you want to know how dangerous he is look to his mentor, Roy Cohn, the nastiest bastard who luckily died.
“Never Amit to anything … attack, Attack, ATTACK!”
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Very special and important messages in these words, Crystal. So well said.
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Yes, Red, White and Blue unlike our President …
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“The fundamental things apply as time goes by…”
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“Here’s looking at you, kid.”
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Falling in love with life, especially with our diversity, and the freedom to be me. C
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We need a return to those days, Crystal.
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The world would be a better place. Thanks for visiting, Rosaliene.
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Thanks for the view into the social civility in your childhood : ) I see from your voted sticker you’re in Texas. That’s where I went to school and lived for 10 years. R
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I’ve been in Texas going on 27 years, Houston now, but grew up in small town OK. Thanks for stopping by, Rebecca.
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Hello Crystal, Not much fun if a box of crayons only has one color. Have a great day. Jerry
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I grew up in a red state but always felt like I should be in a blue state… so I can relate. I did end up living in a blue state for a while but now I live in what is often referred to as a swing state. At the end of the day, it’s mostly a lot of the same people who just happen to have different views. 🙃
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You’re completely right, JoAnn. We all bleed the same. Thanks for the extra perspective.
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Love this! 💕
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Hi Collette! Thank you. ❤️
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Thank you for sharing!!.. “Maybe I’m not so different from everyone else after all. It’s like somebody gave me a puzzle, but I don’t have the box with the picture on it. So I don’t know what the final thing is supposed to look like. I’m not even sure if I have all the pieces.” (Sharon M. Draper(… 🙂
Hope all is well in your part of the universe and life is all that you wish for it to be!.. 🙂
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Hi Dutch! Thanks so much for visiting. ❤️
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I love this one, Crystal, exactly how I feel too!
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Thank you, Tiffany. ❤️
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I don’t know how we got to the point where we think that red/blue has to separate us and make us hate each other, but I really don’t like it. Thank you so much for this post…..it’s what we need to hear. And more importantly, how we need to live.
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I don’t like it either. Can we all get along?
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I think everyone needs to vote for RESPECT, both self-respect and respect for others. The Bible tells us to “give honor to whom honor is due” and in another place, “Honor all men; love the brotherhood.” If only we could catch how vital respect is to our existence.
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I taught school for twenty years. Respect was my only classroom rule. The rest falls into place. Thanks for visiting, Christine.
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So well written.
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Much appreciated, Desert Flower!
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the pleasure is all mine
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I am beginning to wonder if we will ever hear, “Kumbaya” sung again. The divide is so wide! The vitriol is so deep! I used to post the Golden Rule as stated in many religions in my classroom. ❤ Loved your beautiful poem! ❤
Have a great weekend, Crystal!
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Hello, Cheryl! So much wisdom in the Golden Rule, and I appreciate you for supporting my poetry. Sending good vibes for your weekend!
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I absolutely love this post and it’s so ME! Thank you so much for sharing this ❤
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I appreciate the appreciation. Thank you, Arnetta!
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You’re very welcome, Crystal 💕
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good to see the “vote” sticker
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Thank you, Michael! And now we wait.
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Well said Crystal! Sometimes we need to look to our own youth to fully appreciate what fuels the American dream.
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Thank you, Big Sky! 🇺🇸
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How Nice, dear Crystal ! You’re wonderful, dear Blue !
“We respected opinions and choices, #vote s were our Voices.”
_
#Election2020 #ElectionDay #Vote2020 #USA
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🇺🇸💙🤍❤️🇺🇸 Thank you, Dear Outosego!
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It is i who i should thank you, Crystal. You’re such a wonderful thinker and writer. You’re welcome, though, dear.
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I love compliments! Thank you, Outosego!
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xaxa! you’re most welcome, dear!
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That’s the main thing, Crystal, that we can be respectful when we disagree.
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I’m hopeful about this.
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Thank you for this! So, so much divisiveness here in Wisconsin…sigh…
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I suppose the reversal begins one person at a time. 🤍
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It does indeed. 🙂
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