I haven’t written a blog in several weeks now, and I’ve missed it. But anyone who knows me, knows I keep adding irons to my fire, and writing was put on the back burner. But here I am, because something I read this morning stoked my fire.
Before we dive in, let me say this: today’s blog may seem a little heavier – not the light, infused with humor kind of writing you usually get from me. But I promise… you’ll end it with a smile.
This morning I read something that hit me hard. It spoke directly to something that I’ve felt for a long time: the decline of our moral integrity – especially in how we react to the death of someone we don’t agree with.
A man on social media wrote about how people now celebrate when a pubic figure dies. I’m not sharing the author’s words verbatim, but the message was clear: We aren’t falling apart because we disagree. We’re falling apart because we’ve reached a point where some people cheer when another human being dies.
Not because they knew them.
Not because they were harmed by them.
But because they didn’t share their political views.
And he was right – this moral failure isn’t owned by one group. It’s everywhere now.
When Senator Lindsey Graham passed away recently, social media lit up with jokes, celebrations, and people treating his death like a political victory. And every time I see this happen, I cringe.
What’s the matter with people? What have we become?
You don’t have to admire someone. You don’t have to vote for them. You don’t have to agree with a single thing they ever said. But if your first emotion when you hear someone has died is joy… politics isn’t your biggest problem. Something inside you is broken.
We talk all day about kindness, decency, morality – until it’s someone we dislike. Then suddenly compassion has an expiration date.
Character isn’t measured by how you treat the people you agree with. It’s measured by how you treat the people you don’t.
And your kids are watching – taking it all in. After all, parents are children’s first teachers.
The Division We’re Living In
Our world has become so divided that it feels like we’re sitting on the ingredients for a civil war. People are angry, hostile, and in some cases, unhinged. Racism is louder than ever. Hatred is everywhere. And somewhere along the way, our moral compass spun out of control.
When someone in the public eye dies – especially someone political – the comments online are cruel.
“I’m ready to pop the champagne!” “Popcorn is being popped!” “Good Riddance.”
Do people forget that this person was a human being? That they meant the world to their family? That someone is grieving them right now? Their grief is real, raw, and unimaginable – and yet strangers online celebrate.
Why?
Simply because his views weren’t their own.
I understand feeling upset by someone’s difference of opinion. I do. But I always remember something I once heard – I believe it was Kathie Lee Gifford who said: “When you don’t like someone, say a prayer for them. It’s impossible to hate someone you’re praying for.”
That stuck with me.
I often think of this scenario that my small brain concocted. It helps me when I find myself reacting negatively to someone I’m not especially fond of. Imagine your one-year-old child falling into a swimming pool and is drowning. You can’t reach them in time. Standing nearby are two people – one you’ve known all your life and adore, and one you absolutely detest.
While the person you adore stands frozen, unable to help for fear of drowning themselves, the other person, the one you detest, jumps in without hesitation and saves your child’s life.
In that moment, every difference would disappear. Because humanity would matter more than opinion.
Why can’t we think that way now? Why can’t we look at people we dislike and remember they are human beings with families who love them? Why can’t we remember that every life has value, even when we disagree with the person living it?
The Little Soul and the Sun
Many years ago, I read a book called The Little Soul and the Sun, a parable authored by Neale Donald Walsch. It tells the story of little souls in heaven, deciding their next incarnation and the life lessons they hoped to learn.
One Little Soul says, “I want to learn forgiveness. But in order to learn forgiveness, someone would have to smite me so I could forgive them. And who would do that, for you all love me so much.”
Then a friendly soul stepped forward and said, “Not to worry, Little Soul. I will.”
And the Little Soul, confused, said, “But why would you do that? You are a being of utter perfection!”
And the Friendly Soul said, “Simple. It is because I love you so much I would do it. But I have one thing I want you to do.”
The Little Soul exclaimed, “Anything! What can I do for you?”
The Friendly Soul replied, “In the moment that I strike you and smite you…in that moment that I do the worst thing to you that you could possibly imagine – in that very moment…”
“Yes?” the Little Soul interrupted, “yes…?”
The Friendly Soul became quieter. “Remember Who I really am.”
The moral of the story… God has sent us nothing but angels.
I’ve never forgotten that story. It made me think differently about the people who challenge us, frustrate us, or even hurt us. Maybe they are angels in disguise. Maybe they volunteered to play the most difficult roles so the rest of us could remember compassion, forgiveness, and love. Maybe they are part of our learning, helping us grow in ways we don’t yet understand.
Think about that next time you feel contempt for a political figure.
Instead of asking, “How could they?” perhaps ask, “What is this moment asking me to become?” If every soul comes here to teach and to learn, then maybe the greatest test isn’t the politician’s character – it is our own.
A Toast With a Wink – Because We All Need One
Here’s to compassion, even when it feels like trying to hug a porcupine.
Here’s to remembering that every human life has value – even the ones who make us roll our eyes so hard we swear we can see our brain.
Here’s to choosing kindness over chaos, decency over digital pitchforks, and humanity over whatever fresh nonsense social media serves up.
And here’s to us – the imperfect, emotional, beautifully complicated people trying to navigate a world that sometimes feels like it’s being run by raccoons in a dumpster fire.
May we argue less, listen more, and remember that celebrating someone’s death is never a personality trait worth bragging about.
May we teach our kids that compassion doesn’t get to clock out early.
And may we all try – even just a little- to be the kind of humans who would jump in the pool to save the child… even if the kid’s parents voted differently.
Cheers!
