The restaurant was closed where my friend and I were going to meet for breakfast. I called her to create a new plan, watching for her to come from my left. As we talked she said she would turn around. I said but you’re not even here yet. She replied, yes I am, I am on your right.

I was looking for her to come from the scenic route to my left. She chose to come down the main highway on my right. I would take the back roads every time. I love the countryside, get easily tired of highway driving, and would always opt for trees, rivers and cows.

It’s easy to assume everyone thinks like me and shocking at times to find out “they” don’t. It’s time to let go of the idea that politics and religion are taboo topics. This came into being when it was decided that people became too angry and out of control to have a civil conversation.

Civil conversation is what will save this country.

Begin to reach out to those that voted other than you did this year. Not to convince them of your point of view, but to understand their point of view. We need to find common ground. We need to hear about the lives of others and the reasons for their choices. There will be some who will not be able to have a civil conversation and you can walk away from those, but do persist and find people you can talk with – and listen.