“Is there going to be a civil war?” one of my children asked yesterday.

“Gosh, I hope not,” I replied.

The tension in our country is alarming. I’ve never lived in a place where is an active war is being fought, and I don’t think I want to. As Rodney King once said, “Can’t we all just get along?”

To me, the question raised an interesting perspective. From a young person’s point of view, does it look like we’re headed for war?

And what would we hope to gain?

Aren’t there always peaceful solutions?

The Women’s March drew huge numbers. Friends and relatives of mine participated. I did not. Some of the signs I saw posted on social media were positive action signs, but others were angry and negative.

Last week we celebrated Martin Luther King Jr Day.  He said,

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Yet, there they were — hating the haters, as if two wrongs make a right.

Hate is a double-edged sword that we wield by the blade. Everyone is hurt by it.

There has to be a better way.

Here are some positive steps we all can take (loosely based on Emanuella Grinberg’s CNN article: You Participated in the Women’s March. Now What?

1. Volunteer for a group you care about — Absolutely get involved in constructive ways. Women’s shelters. Homeless shelters. Counseling centers. Food banks. Look around you. Be hands on. Do good.
2. Be involved in the political process —  Learn what candidates really believe. Use your head. Their actions and their words matter. If you’re a  person of faith, pray about it. Be open-minded. Think. Don’t be a blind follower. Make your own decision. Do your research. Forget labels. Look at character.
3. Be your own Congressional Oversight Committee — The real Congressional Oversight Committee monitors the executive branch. Hurrah!  May they do their job well!  But you can oversee your elected representatives. Pay attention to what is going on in government and don’t be afraid to let your elected officials know what you think. Know the names of the people who represent you and let them know, in positive ways, what your thoughts are.  Visit “How to Contact Your Elected Officials” to learn how to get in touch with them.

I love the fact that we can have peaceful protests in this country.

Let’s just keep it constructive, encouraging, and productive.