MDBer Braden Bell has strong political opinions.
“I noticed, several years ago, that my political feelings were leading me to be angry, sarcastic, and suspicious of people. As I thought about this, I realized I wasn’t the only one. It’s a pandemic, and let’s be honest: it’s on both the left and right.”
Braden decided he would try to do something about it, starting with himself.
“I wanted to live the old cliché and find a way to disagree without being disagreeable. So, I took several small steps. Baby steps, you might say. But I found that they were helpful and they had a cumulative effect on me.”
In a 3-part blog post, Braden outlines the steps he took to personally return to civility. As we MDBers face what is shaping up to potentially be one of the most potentially divisive political seasons of our lifetimes, Braden’s posts should be required reading.
“I haven’t changed my opinions or views. But I have changed the way I view others, and that has had a positive effect on me. I think I am more civil to others. But, just as importantly, I am different. I feel more temperate, more balanced. I’m more confident expressing my views because they are thoughtful conclusions that don’t rely on invective, sarcasm or bombast. In other words, civility has essentially polished and refined my views–burning away the dross. So, I’m not advocating being mushy and checking your opinions at the door. To the contrary, I’m suggesting ways to engage in dialogue and debate without being destructive.”
Braden’s steps:
Thanks for the shout-out, Dennis!