Be the chess player, not the chess piece.

November 10, 2016

be the chess player

I don’t cover politics on this blog, and I am going to keep it that way. However, it would be silly to go on posting like the election didn’t happen. A day that will impact me, my family, and my country for the next four years in a dramatic way. I have so much to say, but I will keep it simple here.

I witnessed so much hatred, bitterness, and anger over the last few days on both sides of the spectrum on social media. That is why I steered clear of it for many weeks leading up until the election. Real conversations, connection, and logical discussions do not happen there. It is just a place for opinions to be platformed. My experience with face to face conversations on our country and it’s future was usually much more engaging and thought provoking. Did you find the same? I wish that the time and energy devoted to pointing the finger could be channeled towards the action we all want to see in our own lives. 

I have so much hope for this great country. I want so much for our culture to reach more understanding of each other.  A country who can acknowledge our differences, and  work through them with compassion. A country who can live in a world where we truly care more about the greater good than our own agenda. Here is an article by Yellow Conference I found extremely well written. I encourage you to read it, and as always I would love to hear your thoughts. 

For now, I am challenging myself to” be the chess player, not the chess piece”, and start acting towards the morals and values this country started upon. I know this starts within my own family, within my community, with friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. 

All my best,

Anna

 

“America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me. You let me make a difference. A place where even orphan immigrants can leave their fingerprints and rise up.” —Hamilton

Leave a Comment

  • I saw a quote the other day that said something about it’s farm more important what goes on in your own house than the white house, and I’m trying to remember that change starts within the walls of our own home. Grateful for your perspective too!

    Paige
    http://thehappyflammily.com

  • Thank you for posting that article. It was a healing read for me.

  • Such a wonderful perspective thank you!

  • Thanks for this! I couldn’t agree more. I’ve never gone off social media, but I’m ready to run from it, especially FB right now. Vitriol is definitely no way forward. I’m a firm believer in “being the change”, and I’m trying to teach my kids that, too.

    • Can you believe the nastiness? I am always most impressed by thoughtful and open conversation. I took a break from facebook pretty much, because it was emotionally draining!

  • Pat Schwab

    Hi Anna, I thought you would enjoy my daughter’s new article. I love what she says at the end. Let me know what you think. https://www.theodysseyonline.com/college-wooster-silent-protest Pat S

  • So well said, Anna! I love this quotation-especially because I love chess 🙂 You are absolutely right-face to face conversations are so much more fruitful! The day after the election, I wound up getting off of social media and took a walk around my apartment complex-and wound up having the best conversation with one of our neighbors, who is far opposite from me politics-wise. By having face to face interaction with people, and by finding common ground and building up community, we can do so much more good than simply venting on social media.

    • I love that AnneMarie! It seems we like to avoid conversation in real time, and use our screens for verbal bravery. Not always the most effective!
      Thanks for the comment!

  • Thank you for this post. And for linking to the post by Yellow Conference. I think fear is very present for a lot of people (myself included if I spend too much time on social media reading biased news outlets!) I have to remember that more unites us than divides us. Truly. Listening also has been huge for me this past week. I love how you are being the chess player and not the piece. Very powerful yet simple as well.

    P.S. – HAMILTON!!! Did you see it?? AMAZING!

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