What we all need in 2024
It is safe to assume that 2024 will bring many challenges. That is just a given for every year. Some of those challenges will be individual but some will be local, state, nationally, and globally. But perhaps the biggest challenge will come with the 2024 election cycle. The new year has just begun, and we are already facing challenges such as war in Ukraine, war in the Middle East, global warming, inflation and rising prices. The list is endless.
But for Americans, one of the biggest challenges is likely to be the fact 2024 is an election year.
The general election is not until Nov. 5, but the process that gets us to that date is beginning very soon. There is a presidential primary scheduled for March in Minnesota and voting actually starts this month. Starting Jan. 19, you can cast your ballot by mail or in person for the March 5 election. For those Minnesotans who want to participate in the election process at the party level, the precinct caucuses will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Caucuses are run by the political parties, and they are the first in a series of meetings leading to the endorsement of candidates, selection of delegates, and the development of the party platform.
Then there’s the Aug. 13 general primary and the Nov. 5 general election.
Since this is a presidential election year, one thing is certain, it will get ugly. That is a trend that has been ongoing and increasing for several election cycles.
It is not a stretch to think that this will be even worse this year because of an extremely divisive war in the Middle East which has been seeing an increase in anti-semitic and anti-Palestinian rhetoric and incidents throughout the country.
We are now just coming off the holiday season, the time of year when we hear about many acts of kindness. What if some of that holiday spirit carries forward into 2024.
We are not suggesting that there should be no disagreements. That has never been reality and never will be. Nor should it be. Especially in the United States we all have the right to have our own religious and political beliefs among others.
But how about we all step back from the anger and the violence that sometimes leads to. What if we simply listen to each other. Consider what the other person is saying. Explain in a rational way why you agree or disagree. Whether it is religion, politics, or culture. Simply being kind to one another can go a long way to ending the dissension individually, locally, nationally, globally. It won’t end conflicts but don’t underestimate the impact of kindness.