Connecting with Others Can Build Hope

These are difficult times in our country with wide-ranging polarization and distrust of others. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin observes: “America has been at odds with itself before. I’ve been drawn to such turbulent times -- the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, World War II. . . . ‘The end of our country has loomed many times before,’ my husband often reminded me, ‘America is not as fragile as it seems.’”  

This is a hopeful message, but it is up to us to live and embrace it, beginning with how we engage with others (especially with people who might have different opinions). We can resist making assumptions and putting people in boxes. People think and vote the way they do for any number of reasons, and every person is an individual with their own needs and aspirations.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “No one cares what you know until they know that you care!” Finding ways to connect with others can create light and grace. When you bring people together with strong political views (and set ground rules that ensure respectful discussion), they almost always agree on much more than they expected. One participant at a Braver Angels workshop on trustworthy elections commented, “We agreed on more things that I would have thought, and people in this room were hungry.”   

People are hungry for something better, and we can each model a better way. Being stressed about politics is increasingly common so it is important to take care of your mental health and focus on healthy habits. Ongoing self-reflection, including a deep understanding of how your actions and behavior impact others, can be coupled with a commitment to personal development and relationship building.

“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible,” adds actor Christopher Reeve. We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!