How Amazing is It...

...That I am up at 1:00 am?

Not very.

I worked pretty much all day, came home and relaxed while the hubs made dinner.  We watched some of the Democratic Convention, I practiced guitar, showered and am now snuggled up in bed with buzzing thoughts on my mind and a glowing computer screen in my lap.

As I got ready for bed, I thought about the speeches I have heard recently from both the Republican and Democratic parties.  There's been some raucous emoting, a little mud-slinging, and a lot of promises.  My plan this; my opponent that.  The country is pretty much divided by shades of red and blue.  Can we just go back to the Olympics when we were all just Americans and all we were concerned about was winning shiny, gold necklaces?  That was fun.

The election, however, is upon us, and we cannot escape.  I try, for the most part, to stay out of the politics.  I have my beliefs, I have the beliefs with which I was raised, and I discuss said beliefs with my husband, and that's about it.  We talk about the pro's and con's of certain methods or laws or acts.  We try to be fair and weigh the possibilities and the perspectives of others.  Sometimes we just make fun of stuff.  At any rate, I'm not going to go all political, because, frankly, I think it's a waste of time.  I can talk (or type) till I'm blue (or red, hehe) in the face about what I believe and who I support, but it's probably not going to change your mind.  And I'm ok with that.

What I am interested in doing, is expressing something that has been on my mind recently that I'm not sure is on the minds of many others.

This crazy, exciting, annoying, tedious, emotional election season is amazing.  Seriously.  Think about it.

How amazing is it that we live in a country where every four years we can peaceably debate our opinions in an open forum?
How amazing is it that we can choose to continue or transfer the position of the presidency without violence or bloodshed?
How amazing is it that men or women, black or white, rich or poor, gay or straight, can all cast a vote in the decision of who will lead our nation?
How amazing is it that we can celebrate our differences as unique individuals that all make up this beautiful mosaic of people from every race, color, creed and walk of life?
How amazing is it that we can exercise our right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression without fearing for our safety?
How amazing is it that we can choose to practice whatever religion we choose without fear of the government suppressing our beliefs?
How amazing is it that we have a chance to experience change in administrations and aren't doomed to the tyranny of a dictator or monarch?
How amazing is it that the US is not even 300 years old, and we function better than countries 10 times our senior?
How amazing is it that citizens of some other countries would give their right arms to live in this great nation and experience the freedoms we take for granted?
How amazing is it that we have men and women who choose every day to sacrifice their comfort, safety and lives that we might maintain these freedoms?

It's pretty darn amazing!

I'm not saying that America is perfect by any means, BUT I think we are so incredibly privileged and we often disregard how blessed we are.  So please, try to keep some of this in mind as November approaches.  Also, remember, you don't have to hate someone because you disagree with them.  Last, lest we forget, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."  You are no better than anyone else, even if you think they are wrong.  I am no better than anyone else, even if they really are wrong.  And I am blessed to be able to express this belief without fear: Jesus loves everyone the same, God made us all in His image, we are all imperfectly human and perfectly restored by His grace.

So, show a little love this election year, even if it's just by biting your tongue.