I’ve felt sad, disappointed and a little angry in the run up to this general election.
I realise that it isn’t the general election, or our politicians that cause these emotions; no, I’ve created them myself through my own thinking and fantasy of how I wish things would be, and the gap between that fantasy and the reality I see.
Regardless of which party ‘wins’ (if any), my fantasy is of politicians, and journalists, who are role models of the behaviour I’d like to see widely in our society including the following:
- Acceptance of and curiosity about our differences, and how we can integrate difference in a win-win, rather than win-lose outcome (instead all I hear is bickering and “I’m right, you’re wrong” worse than you would encounter in any playground).
- Accountability and responsibility rather than blaming, accusations and finger pointing.
- Being real, genuine human beings, rather than edited, airbrushed facades.
- Showing real empathy and understanding of other people – being able to put themselves in someone else’s shoes, even if they don’t agree with their perspective.
- Treating others with respect, dignity and integrity, regardless of the behaviour of others (don’t use the bad behaviour of others to excuse your own).
- Looking for, and building on what’s right and working, rather than sweeping judgements of what’s wrong (and often ‘throwing the baby out with the bath water”).
- Placing focus and energy on long term sustainable solutions rather than self-serving “will this keep me in power”.
I’m sure there are many politicians, and journalists who are the true embodiment of all of the above – perhaps it’s just it’s hard to hear them amongst the deafening sniping of all the rest.
I’ve had enough of competitive politics, can’t we use the strengths of all to build a collaborative society?
How do we, the voting public, support and bring about a culture shift in our nation’s political scene (answers on a postcards please!!)?
