Greetings and salutations, dear Reader, and welcome to yet another day above ground. It got warm and that woke me up, but I do feel rested enough even though it's not yet four-AM (as of the time of these type-written words, at least, maybe not by the time it's been published though). Anyway, here's a look at today's forecast:
And, here is today's Proverb. It's my blog, so I choose to copy and paste it here. Thanks.
And, today is all about verse 19 for me:
Even with the changing climate with more and more Americans sanely moving to the political center, I am still today the recipient of real-life cancel culture, folks—by someone who's "in the party of tolerance"—yes, the political left. Not a politician, no; a rank and file voter like most of us.
Rather than engaging differing views with open dialogue, as many of us strive to do, I encountered heated words and frustration directed at my beliefs, without any personal attack from my side. (For the record, even now, I've refrained from any insults or ad hominem remarks.) All I did was invite the group chat to provide evidence of even one American citizen who has been deported, offering a wager I was confident in because, to my knowledge, such cases don't exist. I believe this is a shared understanding across the spectrum, though it can be a tough pill to swallow for some.
So, instead of sparking thoughtful discussion—which has historically strengthened societies by encouraging growth beyond initial reactions—our exchange highlighted a broader challenge. In 2025, it seems we've drifted from the constructive debates that once propelled progress, and that's something worth reflecting on together. What might it look like if we all paused to examine our assumptions more deeply?
When I was in high school, I signed up to take Latin—there weren't enough of us, so I had to choose another foreign language and went with German. These days, as far as I know, Latin in public high schools is rare, Civics classes have faded, and History is often presented through specific viewpoints shaped by extensive academic training. It's concerning when we assume those views are entirely original, as it can limit broader inquiry.
That's why, even at 13, I declined Duke University's offer to skip high school and attend for free (extended to those of us who excelled on Texas standardized tests). Instinctively, I sensed the value in a more varied path, leading me to become a lifelong, mostly self-taught learner who strives to think independently to this day.
I'm very grateful that my parents instilled these habits in my formative years. And, as a human, it's not always straightforward to prioritize thoughtful analysis over emotional responses. Sometimes, our feelings align with what's true, but other times, they can lead us astray unless we examine them closely. None of us is exempt from this—it requires ongoing effort to balance heart and mind. We all make room for emotions, as we're not machines, but how can we ensure they don't steer us into decisions we might later question? Consider how a child reacts to "no"—it's raw emotion, and as adults, we have the opportunity to build on that with wisdom.
These days, even those in their 50s and beyond can react strongly to differing opinions, much like that instinctive response. How might we, as a society, foster more resilience in these moments? It's a shared sadness when bridges break over ideas.
Anyway, since my opinions proved divisive, I decided to deactivate all my social media accounts (except for the apolitical perfume sites). I'd had my Facebook since 2009; it held memories of departed loved ones, relatives, pets, and life's milestones over 16 years. As invested as I was, I chose to step back in hopes of easing tensions, setting it not to reactivate automatically.
A gesture like this could be seen as an olive branch, inviting peace. Yet, if it's not received that way, it reminds us we're all navigating these waters differently.
Anyone who advocates for Socialism or Communism might benefit from reflecting on the historical toll—tens, if not hundreds, of millions of lives lost directly under those systems, every time they've been implemented. Lives have been tragically ended.
What might it take for us all to recognize potential flaws in our cherished ideas? Why do so few seem willing to engage in that self-examination? It's a capacity we once valued highly—let's consider reclaiming it.
Or, if we persist in letting differences fracture relationships based solely on emotion and opinion, we risk congratulating ourselves for rationality while missing the irony. In the name of tolerance, perhaps we can aim higher.
For my part, I'm saddened that sharing my political views honestly can cause such pain to others. Estoy muy triste.
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