What Are You Feeding?
When I was in college, I remember getting stopped on the streets of Northampton, Massachusetts by a person trying to get people to sign their petition. I don't remember which side of the issue they were on, or which side my friend was on who warned me about signing, but she pointed out that Planned Parenthood is where they do abortions.
What stands out to me about this memory was that at the age of 18 or 19, after only a few facts were spoken at me by the person holding the clipboard, I was so quick to sign. Then, just a minute later, I was so quick to listen to my friend after hearing her facts. I remember it all happening quickly and there was very little room for me to stop and think about what I believed. I didn't take time to hear all the information and discern my own opinions, I just jumped on board with the opinions of those closest to me. Then years after that one day, I would continue to hold onto those same thoughts, feeding them and letting them grow, without ever stopping again to think - is this what I really believe?
Recently, as many of you know, I served on Jury Duty for a criminal trial. One of the rules of Jury Duty is that you cannot talk about the case; you cannot talk about it with other jurors during breaks; you cannot talk about it with anyone at home; you cannot visit the location where it happened; you cannot research the people involved. When I was first given these instructions, I thought I fully understood why. Obviously, the judge didn't want us to influence each other's opinions. She wanted us to hear only the evidence, and not opinions or other statements outside the court room, so we could make a decision for ourselves. I realized in the process though, it's more than that. It's not just hearing others opinions, it's solidifying and magnifying our own too soon.
I remember one day during the trial, I sat down for lunch and wanted to text someone everything I had just heard. I wanted to share the details and rant about how in just a few minutes the prosecutor made me hate him for how he was badgering the witness. Before the trial was over, before I had heard everything, I was already prone to make my decision. However, when I took my phone out and couldn't send the text, it stopped me from feeding those thoughts; thoughts that were based on one small piece of a very large puzzle.
With the Midterm Elections in a few days, I want to ask you the question - what are you feeding? When you vote, have you taken the time to think and discern for yourself what you believe? Or are you just feeding the same thoughts and opinions of the people around you? Are you continuing to feed just one piece of the puzzle? When was the last time you stepped back and asked yourself - do I still believe this?
Throughout life we are all growing and changing; we are learning new things every day and gathering new information that should impact how we view the world, and in turn, how we vote. I hope that you are frequently taking time to revisit your stance on key issues. The jury is not out until the day we die, so keep asking questions and try to be open to any new answers you may hear. Fight for what you believe and vote like your life depends on it, because for many of us these midterm elections, it does. Just make sure it is was you believe and make sure it is based on as much of the puzzle as you can manage to find.
