Civics Challenge #1: Your Attitude Is Everything

It’s no surprise that a majority of Americans say they distrust the government or have a negative view of it. The media paints an ugly portrait of the current political climate as “being a unique time in America”–one that is on the brink of something catastrophic. The truth is, every era throughout history has been a unique time and every era to come will be a unique one as well. We are always charting new territory with new ideas and new ways to do things–each with its own set of problems and new leaders entering the arena to try and tackle them.

Historically, we’ve had some pretty unique leaders that have made Americans believe we’ve seen better days. We’ve always rallied through and survived. Checks and balances exist for a reason and there are better ways to survive an uncertain time than just grumbling and whining our way through it. That brings us to our first challenge, and perhaps the toughest, of the year in getting you to be more civic-minded.

“All you can change is yourself. But sometimes, that changes everything!” -Gary Goldstein

 

Challenge #1: Think Positively

We’ve been trying to figure out a way to present this first challenge in a way that lets you know it’s okay to be human and be upset about not living in a perfect world, but that also makes you realize that ugly rhetoric and anger and online rants aren’t the answer.

This first challenge of ours will set the foundation for all the other challenges throughout the year. For some of you, this might be the most difficult one. At times, it might not seem doable. But practice makes perfect…or at least it makes progress.

So here’s the first challenge: if we’re going to teach our children to be more civic-minded and positive about the future of their country, it starts with the way we speak about our present, our future, and those with whom we disagree. It means, we need to speak in a more positively constructive way. Instead of speaking doom and gloom, let’s talk about our future as if it’s going to be a positive place to live and that we’re going to take an active role in making it that way.

It’s easy to blame our attitudes toward politics on the current political climate and its leaders. We thrive off of social support for our negative opinions. In groups, our negativity is supported as evidence that we are on the right track. Our negative dialogue ends up on social media and in conversations with family and friends and pretty soon we’ve got a whole spiral of negativity swirling around us that fuels the way we look at the world. Those who don’t agree with us, we often see as misguided. We see others as the problem. But guess what? The “other side” often sees us the same way. Do you see how it’s hard to accomplish understanding and progress in a world like that?

The problem with this negativity mindset is that it filters down to our children. It’s this kind of thinking that does our children, and the future of our country, no favors. The reason our first challenge is to think more positively is that our children won’t want to participate in something if all they hear is bitterness and disgust and that it’s not possible for one person, like us, to make a difference. So instead of letting that negativity take over your dialogue, let positive thinking be your driving force. Realize that the world can be a better place because of YOU–regardless of anyone else’s role. It’s a positive mindset that gives us the ability to look at the big picture in a constructive and helpful way. Our kids need to learn this skill.

To recap: if we want to teach our children to catch the spirit of patriotism in America and the desire to do good in it, it starts with our own attitudes and dialogue.

Don’t misunderstand. We aren’t asking you to change your opinions on leaders or policies you don’t agree with. We’re not asking you to shield your children from what’s going on in the world or to sugarcoat it all. A diversity of opinions makes America great and is why we have a political process in the first place. Plus, we’re strong believers that silence is acceptance. If we don’t believe in the way something is being done, we should speak up. But can we kick the gloom and doom to the curb and add a little optimism in its place?

What the world needs more of is respect and positivity toward each other–especially toward others we don’t agree with. In addition to more positivity toward our communities and country as a whole, it’s helpful to present to your children that there are always two sides to every story. For every negative side, there’s a positive. In addition, even if we don’t agree with who is in power, we can still respect the office or the entity as a whole.  No matter our opinions, we can all talk with respect about the historical importance of such offices and bodies and the amazing things they’ve done throughout our country’s existence.

We can also choose to believe that we can make a difference. Yes, we are just one person. But every movement, big or small, starts with one person’s thoughts and ideas. So, why not you? Kick the mantra that there’s no point in getting involved to the curb. Because you CAN make a difference.

Putting it to Action

Choose at least one of the following to focus on for the next couple of weeks:

Exercise 1: It takes 21 days to form a new habit. Over the next few days, spend a couple of minutes every day practicing thinking positively about the future of our country. What is something you specifically can do to make this happen? At the very least, is looking at the future in a positive way something that is doable for you? How can you improve it? Discuss with your kids the idea that we must be the change we wish to see in the world. Discuss it with your family.

Exercise 2: Remember negativity is natural, but positivity is powerful. If you’re not happy with the current political situation in your community or our country, you have one of two choices. 1) You can decide that this situation is bad–a lemon, perhaps–but that you are going to make lemonade out of it, or 2) You can decide that it’s just a lemon and spread sourness wherever you go. It’s up to you. What example do you want to set for the next generation? If you are a sucker for getting into nasty dialogue about politics, either in real life or online, vow now to find something POSITIVE to contribute or simply avoid those discussions altogether.

You can do it. We’re rooting for you!