Do our Politics Reflect Our Life?

In my life, sometimes I push my agenda because it feels too high stakes to tolerate the possibility of another perspective.

When we sold our home and moved to the city, I believed it was the right thing to do, but I didn’t seriously consult my family. I was already certain about the decision, maybe because I was feeling scared. It felt like we had a limited window of opportunity, and I was scared I wouldn’t be able to make my case to them. I didn’t trust my family.

Looking back, although the choice worked out, I still regret the impact my approach had on my family. I suspect I caused feelings like resentment or sadness in the people I love most.

Are we actually better off when we get our way? Or are we better when we trust our relationships?

Do our politics reflect our life? In dismissing Marianne Williamson as a candidate for president, I’m sure the Democratic Party (and apparently even Reuters) thinks it has its constituents’ best interest at heart, just like I did with my family. 

But I worry that trying to control the outcome is a losing strategy. Like trying to trap an electron, or a cat, the more you confine it to get the desired data from it, the quicker it leaps away from your grasp. Try to control the configuration, and you change the momentum.

Williamson’s message resonates with a lot of youth. (https://theintercept.com/2023/04/14/marianne-williamson-tiktok/) When we try to control kids instead of respecting them, they sometimes go where we least expect them to go.

I get it, people may be really afraid right now, so they want the safe option. No debates. No challenges. But are we continuing a legacy of thinking we know what’s best for others? Will it will actually produce the results we want?

I find it humbling to notice when I myself contribute to what I don’t want in the world, precisely because I am afraid and try to control things.

(Ironically, isn’t this exactly Marianne Williamson’s platform?)