We Don't Have to Agree

The Archangels Remind Us Not to Take Things Personally

So many of us think that, if someone voted differently from us or has different political views, they are (fill in the blank). Last night I had a conversation with someone I love that I found very upsetting.  Rather than allowing it to upend the entire conversation, much less our relationship, I suggested that we drop the subject, because we were about as opposite in our views as we could be.  Still, after the phone call ended, I was extremely upset, because I couldn’t understand how such an intelligent, loving person could believe the things she did, beliefs that I found not only unfounded, but downright crazy, not to mention extremely offensive. 

After pacing back and forth for a while, shaking my head in dismay, and rolling my eyes at the absurdity, I paused, took a deep breath, and reminded myself that this person didn’t believe these things or say the things she said to upset me.  She wasn’t trying to be offensive.  She was just honestly telling me what she thought, trusting me to accept that she had the right to think her own thoughts and make her own choices and decisions, and she absolutely does have that right, whether or not I agree with her.

I knew she believed the 2020 election had been stolen.  I try very hard to avoid political conversations with her, as I anticipate we’re going to disagree.  However, we were talking about how it probably wasn’t safe right now to demonstrate in marches or protests, that people who participated in these things, even if they had every intention of the protest remaining peaceful, were at risk, and we both agreed that it was feasible that there were some people who wanted to incite violence at these events, either because they condoned violence or were being paid to instigate it.  I made a reference to the

pardons granted to all the violent offenders from the January 6^th attack being a possible incentive, and she said there was proof that there were dozens of FBI agents that instigated the attack, and the entire event was overblown. 

I about came unglued and told her I didn’t believe that for a minute, that considering that a bunch of FBI agents were just fired for taking a knee at a George Floyd event, and the dismissal of so many federal employees due to political disagreement with the current administration, if that kind of proof existed, it would’ve been all over the news, not to mention the fact that I’d seen the violence on live and recorded video.  She then went on to say that there was proof that George Floyd died from a lethal dose of illegal drugs, rather than from police abuse.  Again, I said if that kind of proof existed, it would’ve been all over the news.  She commented that we were clearly reading different sources of information, and I put an end to the conversation, because I in no way could relate to what she was saying, and vice-versa.

I still don’t understand how she can believe what she does.  To me, it’s common sense to conclude that if the conspiracy theories out there were true and had the kind of proof they boasted about, that proof would’ve hit the mainstream long ago, but obviously, not everyone agrees, and while I staunchly disagree with these viewpoints and conclusions, neither do I believe that the people who do believe them are evil, vile, hateful, or all stereotypical MAGA extremists, etc.  They’re simply doing the best they can to understand and cope with the chaos in the world, and they are afraid.  God knows the government doesn’t inspire trust, and neither does the media, and most of us are at a loss as to where to find true, reliable, unbiased information, if it actually exists anymore.  On that, at least, most of us can agree.  They just happen to be going to and believing different sources in search of the truth than I.

I asked the Archangels to offer some guidance in dealing with these kinds of issues.  I know too many people who have ended friendships and even family connections due to differences in political opinions. We’re a nation divided for that very reason and, consequently, nothing is getting done, solutions are not even being discussed, much less implemented, and we’re at a standstill, with things getting worse all the time.  Something needs to change, or nothing will ever change, and we can all agree that change is needed.  Their response follows.

Question:  How can we get past such extreme differences of opinion regarding politics and other controversial ideas and move forward?

Answer:

This is at the heart of the problems you face, we know.  We have been speaking often about the need to release anger and focus on commonalities, rather than differences, but you bring up an important point, that people need to stop taking these disagreements personally. 

There is a resurgence of concern surrounding basic freedoms that people have enjoyed and want to continue to enjoy, and lately, freedom of speech is at the heart of the conversation.  Keep in mind, that words and actions both begin with thoughts.  Although there has been a recent attack on freedom all over the world, it is well known that, regardless of whether or not people speak their beliefs aloud or act on them, their thoughts are their own, and they cannot easily be controlled, although people in power have always and continue to try to control those thoughts through manipulation of emotions, propaganda, conditioning, and dishonesty, among other things.  Still, a person’s thoughts are their own, whether they decide to share them, or not.

This is why it is important to focus on what you have in common, rather than your differences.  You can all agree that groceries, healthcare, housing, and virtually everything else is too expensive, the cost of living is increasing too fast and too much, the killing of innocent people and violence in general are wrong, personal freedom should be protected, and many other things, yet the details and the different ways to address these things are the things on which people are more focused, and few people are looking at the bigger picture.  If you cannot overlook the differences in favor of working together on the things that must change, nothing will ever be permanently solved.

Begin with the most important, pressing problems that affect the most people first.  Agree that changes are needed, then resist the temptation of pointing fingers of blame and accusation and instead consider possible solutions.  Do not get tangled in words or differences in opinions.  Instead focus on actionable possibilities that garner far reaching results in as little time as possible, that will offer maximum relief.

Instead of getting held up on why you have reached a point of crucial need, concentrate on how to correct the problem.  For example, instead of lamenting on people not being able to sustain the bare minimum required to live comfortably, such as attaining housing, food, safety, healthcare, employment, etc., and blaming it on all the scapegoats which have been sacrificed, such as immigration, government, political parties, lifestyle choices, the deterioration of society and the family unit, lack of religion, etc., begin to talk about what can be done to alleviate this problem.  Do not focus on the past, but on the present.  Do not focus on people who need to be corrected, but on the systems in place that are supposed to serve them and are failing to do so.  How do the systems need to be changed, so that more people are helped and more problems are solved?

A major obstacle that has proved very challenging in the world is the idea that controlling others and taking away choices is necessary to improve things.  This never works.  Going back to the opening of this message, a person’s thoughts are their own.  You cannot control them or change them without their consent, and if you try to take away their control and their freedom of choice, they will continue to rise up against that control, and there will never be peace or harmony.   Choose for yourself, but do not try to choose for someone else.  You do not have to agree with others’ choices, beliefs, ideas, religion, culture, lifestyle choices, or anything else to agree that everyone should have the freedom to make personal choices.  Trying to control or take away those choices simply because you disagree with them for whatever reason will lead to nothing constructive and will undermine all else.  You cannot effectively choose for another person.  This is what lies at the base of all conflicts, violence, and wars.  Everyone must be able to make their own personal choices, as long as they do not harm others.  If the majority of people realize this, it will pave the way toward all solutions needed.

Before you can unite, before you can make the crucial changes needed, you must accept each other’s differences and stop taking those differences personally, no matter how strongly you disagree with them.  Everyone is trying to understand and find a way forward, and everyone is doing the best that they can.  Treating people whose opinions differ from your own with hostility and judgment, rather than respect and acceptance, does not work.  Agreeing to disagree goes much further toward finding solutions and sustainable change than the view that everything and everyone is either right or wrong.  Rarely are life and all its many challenges so easily distinguished and defined.  Agree to disagree.  Live and let live.  Release anger and judgment, and move forward.

We send you Light and Love and stand by to help all of you.

Final Thoughts

I heard back from my person in a text last night, who no doubt was also struggling with coming to terms with such drastic differences in our opinions.  She noted that when we were younger, there were fewer and more reliable sources to consider when forming opinions about things, which is true, and that we clearly consulted different sources.  She also stated that we are likely both victims of propaganda and lies, and I find that very likely, as well.  What is, without a doubt, a trustworthy source of information these days?  If you know the answer to that, please share with the group!  In the end, we never agreed on the topics we discussed earlier, and maybe we never will, but we did agree that we cared about each other, and that we were basically good people, who were trying to do the best that we can.

I’m taking my discussion on differences of opinion with my person as a learning opportunity and a reminder that we’re different, and we both have the right to make sense of things in our own way and come to our own conclusions.  When I think of it, it’s much more important to respect and accept each other than it is to agree.  I accept her as a person I care about, and that doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything. 

The intention for Friday night meditation with the Archangels for the month of October is Compassion.  Whether or not we agree with others, they are still deserving of our compassion.  It’s through compassion that we can build bridges.  Hostility, judgment, and condemnation don’t help.  Let’s all try to set aside our anger and focus on the fact that we’re all in this together, and we need to join forces in order to make things better, rather than fight against each other.  We don’t have to agree about everything, but we do need to recognize each other’s worth.

I hope you have a wonderful, peaceful weekend.  If you come across someone who vehemently disagrees with you on something, try to remember to focus on what you have in common, rather than your differences, and that they don’t believe what they do in order to upset you.  Don’t take differences of opinion personally.  Once I realized that, whether or not I disagreed with my person, she had the right to her own thoughts and opinions, I was able to regain my peace of mind and release my upset.  I still disagree with her, and I still love her and wish her well.

Blessings, all.