The presidential election hoo-haa is killing me.
I try very hard to live up to the hermit-like reputation I ascribe to all successful and brilliant yoga teachers, and still I cannot escape the drivel of the presidential election. There was a day in late October when literally every piece of mail I received had a photograph of President Obama. Happy Obama. Angry Obama. Awkward Mid-Sentence Obama. And my favorite Commie Obama (that one was a DVD).
So then I think of you, dear reader, and the exposure you've suffered. If you have a TV, or read the paper, or have a news source other than my mother, you've probably been brainwashed into thinking that saying nasty things about elected officials is a great way to get some jollies. Perhaps you've blown off steam by forwarding a text or Facebook message about "binders full of women"? Isn't it frightening how easy it is to be drawn into a tit for tat?...
It isn't your fault. It isn't my fault either. If only my mother had a Youtube channel where we could get streaming updates of who has recently been married, divorced, attempted yoga, joined or left The Church. I'm so fortunate that The Garden Report makes up sixty percent of the news I receive. And still, I feel pulled into a debate ~ nay ~ a Battle for the Presidency. As though the State of the Union depended upon my snarkiness and willing participation in a two sided battle where no one will ultimately win.
So, what is a yog-er to do?
Repeat what you hear. When someone says their opinion, repeat it back. Use different words. Some people call this reflective listening. It helps me to imagine that the speaker is new to the English language and I must take their feeble attempt to communicate and state it back. This can help buy time and prevent you from sharing your own opinion about the topic.
Redirect to a more worthy topic. I'm not saying the issues are not worthy of discussion, they certainly are. But when conversation has wandered from rational dialogue into diabolical poo-flinging, it's time to talk about the weather. Or The Garden Report.
Question their motivations. If someone just wants to get you into a fight, it is better to know that before you engage at all. That way you can suggest you wrestle in the mud or engage in a thumb war instead of repeating nasty assertions you have received at second and third hand (or worse, via SNL!)
State the obvious. "Wow, that All State insurance guy on Pandora sounds exactly like Obama." No, not that obvious. "Wow, it sounds like you're really offended by the protest you saw by the Rich, Black Mormons for Romney group." Avoid questioning, demeaning and the urge to ask when they last had their eyes checked (and yes, for the record, I heard this exact phrase uttered in a recent conversation on my trip to Texas).
Go for the Secret Weapon: silence. This is where yoga can offer you a world of good. Rather than damning someone's character (in this case, a presidential candidate, moderator, or your friend), fall back on silence, which is the all-in-one cure. Nonviolence. Truthfullness. Cleanliness. Surrender to the outcomes of our actions.
I try very hard to live up to the hermit-like reputation I ascribe to all successful and brilliant yoga teachers, and still I cannot escape the drivel of the presidential election. There was a day in late October when literally every piece of mail I received had a photograph of President Obama. Happy Obama. Angry Obama. Awkward Mid-Sentence Obama. And my favorite Commie Obama (that one was a DVD).
So then I think of you, dear reader, and the exposure you've suffered. If you have a TV, or read the paper, or have a news source other than my mother, you've probably been brainwashed into thinking that saying nasty things about elected officials is a great way to get some jollies. Perhaps you've blown off steam by forwarding a text or Facebook message about "binders full of women"? Isn't it frightening how easy it is to be drawn into a tit for tat?...
It isn't your fault. It isn't my fault either. If only my mother had a Youtube channel where we could get streaming updates of who has recently been married, divorced, attempted yoga, joined or left The Church. I'm so fortunate that The Garden Report makes up sixty percent of the news I receive. And still, I feel pulled into a debate ~ nay ~ a Battle for the Presidency. As though the State of the Union depended upon my snarkiness and willing participation in a two sided battle where no one will ultimately win.
So, what is a yog-er to do?
Repeat what you hear. When someone says their opinion, repeat it back. Use different words. Some people call this reflective listening. It helps me to imagine that the speaker is new to the English language and I must take their feeble attempt to communicate and state it back. This can help buy time and prevent you from sharing your own opinion about the topic.
Redirect to a more worthy topic. I'm not saying the issues are not worthy of discussion, they certainly are. But when conversation has wandered from rational dialogue into diabolical poo-flinging, it's time to talk about the weather. Or The Garden Report.
Question their motivations. If someone just wants to get you into a fight, it is better to know that before you engage at all. That way you can suggest you wrestle in the mud or engage in a thumb war instead of repeating nasty assertions you have received at second and third hand (or worse, via SNL!)
State the obvious. "Wow, that All State insurance guy on Pandora sounds exactly like Obama." No, not that obvious. "Wow, it sounds like you're really offended by the protest you saw by the Rich, Black Mormons for Romney group." Avoid questioning, demeaning and the urge to ask when they last had their eyes checked (and yes, for the record, I heard this exact phrase uttered in a recent conversation on my trip to Texas).
Go for the Secret Weapon: silence. This is where yoga can offer you a world of good. Rather than damning someone's character (in this case, a presidential candidate, moderator, or your friend), fall back on silence, which is the all-in-one cure. Nonviolence. Truthfullness. Cleanliness. Surrender to the outcomes of our actions.
