voting ohthree.

Certainly, there are other topics that need to be addressed on my list, but this Monday, I would like to take a little time and talk about politics. I know–probably a road I don’t want to go down, but here we go!

I have spent much of my life fighting to figure out who I am and what I believe, because usually, just as I come to peace and resolution about a particular issue within myself, my conservative traditional repulican parents tell me that I am wrong. I spent a lot of my life not being able to separate their desperation to control and to be right with their attempt to get me to see a different view of things. I have struggled for a very long time with being able to come to terms with my beliefs enough to stand up to my parents on them and not let them beat me down with their ad hominem and ridiculous personal attacks. Don’t get me wrong–I have always been very persistant, stubborn even, and very determined.

I am a truth seeker, and I believe that, in some cases, everyone’s truth is different. I, as a young person, used to think that my opinions didn’t matter and that I still had so much to learn before I would know "the truth." As if it were some majestical idea that would just come to me in a magical epiphany. I realize now that my personal beliefs and truths have changed over time and will continue to change, as I do. I will change and grow, and my life experiences will build on each other and continue to shape who I am. Yes, I am young. But this does not mean that I am any less worthy of having and expressing the beliefs and opinions that I do. This does not discredit me as an American citizen who has the right to exercise their beliefs and to make known their opinions.

I am proud of what I believe, and though I know it will continue to change and grow as I do, I will always be proud of what I believe. I will always exercise my right to voice my opinions and to make change in the world the best that I can. I feel that it is my responsibility as a citizen to do what I can to improve the world around me. This doesn’t mean that I feel obligated to change people around me or to have some grandeur gesture, but just to change the things in my control. This means being conscious about my impact on other people and on the earth. This means something different for every person.

This also means exercising my right to vote.

Everyone of sound mind should vote! It’s your civic responsibility to find out what the candidates views are the best you can and to vote for who you think the best candidate is with your heart and your conscience.

This year will be my very first presidential election. I am extremely excited! I cannot wait to put my ballot in and let the world know what I think. And I will be, as I always do, watching the election coverage to see what happens. I am very interested in politics, and though I don’t like the mud-slinging and the name-calling, I realize that it comes with the nature of the profession. I am so excited to know that I made a difference in this election! I just cannot wait to say that I voted!!!

I think everyone else should head out to their local polling place tomorrow and do the same. I commend all of you that plan to! We can change the world. Even if it is one person at a time.