Politics is a GOOD word!

For many people I know, there is an extra feeling of stress this time of year around politics - and especially every four years when we are in the middle of a presidential election. For me, Autumn is absolutely my favorite season and politics can sometimes distract me from it’s beauty!

But one thing that has helped me in the past several years is the mentality that politics is actually a good thing. Politics is everywhere we look, and most often, it’s at work in really good ways. When politics is working really well, we don’t see it. It’s at work in the clean water we turn on and off. It’s working well when we drive over bridges that are safe. It’s working when we can go to local and national parks to enjoy our relationship with nature (and it’s fall beauty! 😁). Politics is even at work in our homes - like the arrangement that I have with my wife… When we were first married, she said, “I hate taking out the trash and will gladly clean the bathroom if you take out the garbage.” Deal! 

The root word of politics is the Latin word “polis” which means “city.” Politics is all about relationships! It is the essence of The Third Place! It is simply asking, how do we live this human experience together, with one another? 

Despite the highest tension around politics that I have ever witnessed in my life, I find myself oddly hopeful of the future. I am seeing more people are engaged than ever before. And, I think more importantly, we are more keenly aware of the issues that are needing to be addressed to truly make this life equal and free for all. We are beginning to see that when one of us hurts, we all hurt. And because of this pain, we have the opportunity to reclaim the word Politics. Embrace the good!