Respect

Today I feel sad. It's discouraging, because I had an honest-to-goodness high from the Olympics last night. And then I got an even bigger high from the fantastic dream I had about Michael Phelps...

Anyway, back to business. I'm not even sure how to start this. So here goes, I'll just type. I am what you would call a "fence-sitter." And I kind of hate it. I've known this about myself for a while now, but it still makes me upset. It's the main reason I hate politics. I don't feel like I can trust a single politician, or anything they say. Even with issues like taxes. This one wants to lower taxes, this one wants to create jobs...I would honestly be just fine with paying a few more taxes if the government knew how to spend it wisely. It's a chain reaction in my mind. I start thinking about welfare. I believe in welfare programs when they are used as needed. I hate that people take advantage of the government funds, and then I turn around and say (in my mind), "who am I to judge these people and their needs?" This is my example. I have honestly tried (several times) to learn more about the issues. I start researching, and talking to people I love and trust. After a ridiculously short while, I get so bogged down and confused with the information I receive, that I start to stress out and sometimes even have mini-panic attacks. So, I quit, and go quietly back to my bubble. Never talking about politics to anyone, and feeling silently angry for not taking a stand on issues to which I see both sides.

Today I feel sad about this whole Chick-Fil-A issue. This brings me back to my point. I literally cannot stand up and say that I am ok with gay marriage. Heavenly Father has told us that marriage has been ordained of God between a man and a woman. I cannot deny that statement. But, I also cannot say that I am completely against it. I believe that gays and lesbians should not be denied rights of a married couple, just because they are unable to get married due to law. So, maybe this means that I am for it. I believe it's not fair that these couples, happy with each other, don't get the same benefits as a happily married heterosexual couple. When I was in school, I remember having a discussion with one of my classmates about this. We were talking about adoption and helping children have a happy home that they would not have had the opportunity to have otherwise. I got so angry when he said it would be better that a child be adopted to a gay or lesbian home than to go anywhere else. I thought back then that gays and lesbians raising children would indoctrinate those children to also be gay or lesbian. I obviously did not understand as much back then as I do now.

I do not believe anymore that it is a choice. I believe it's a choice to act on those feelings, but to have them, I know it is not. And now, I honestly believe that if I was in a situation to be putting a child up for adoption, I would not give a hoot whether the parents were gay, lesbian, or hetero as long as the child was going to a good home with parents who would love them and support them.

Anyway, I ate at Chick-Fil-A today. And honestly, I wouldn't have done it except that my boss told us that if we closed the office and all went to Chick-Fil-A, he would buy us lunch. Can I really say no to a free lunch? Nope. I was thinking about going there, because I hadn't been there in a while. But I had forgotten about the Chick-Fil-A appreciation day, and honestly, if I would have driven by and seen that line, I would have kept driving to Rubio's or Culver's. But I felt uncomfortable there. People were so excited to be there, and a couple people in cars drove by and cheered for us. And I wondered if people really knew why they were eating this food. Was it because they are supporting the traditional family? Was it because they feel that Truett Cathy and his beliefs had too much to do with Chick-Fil-A being boycotted and kicked out of Boston? Or did they just happen to have a craving for chicken and waffle fries?

This post is getting really long, so I just want to say this. I believe most things in life come down to RESPECT. I'm learning this slowly, but I believe it's just about the most important lesson of all. People deserve respect. Children and elderly should not be abused. They should be respected. Wars should not have to happen, neither should genocides or even school bullying. Homosexuals should be respected, and they also should respect others for their beliefs. Even if they are different than theirs. It SHOULD go without saying. People deserve respect. Respect yourselves, respect others. I think if people lived their lives with that simple rule, the world would be a much better place.

Now I'm done with my "soapbox." Don't expect too much stuff like this from me in the future, because it takes a lot of courage and stress for me to write. And feel free to comment, but please, no hating. I just wanted to put my thoughts out there, because I knew I wanted to share them and I normally don't in this capacity. If you disagree and want to comment, totally fine. Just be tasteful. I'm actually surprised if you're still reading this, but thank you for listening. :)