How to navigate election season with empathy: The politicians won't save us

I'm typing this from the Washington-Reagan airport, returning home after a few days of client work and connecting with colleagues.  

DC is one of my favorite cities - the free museums, sprawling running paths, spectacular food (Ethiopian injera last night).  But, there is a sense that the city is holding it's breath.  

"I love DC but I really hate it here right now" a friend and DC pro confided in me.  

And perhaps you are feeling it too - a certain exhaustion + dread as we are six weeks out from another election.

"I just don't talk with anyone about politics anymore - it's too combustible."  A client confided to me in a recent session.

And I've been there too - four years ago, there was a whole category of topics that my dad and I just did not talk about for a full year after a particularly big blow-up.

But just shutting down or only existing in an echo chamber of our own perspectives can take a toll.

Politicians will stand on a stage and say that they speak for the American people,

They will play on your fears or your best hopes as they divide the world into a collective "us" versus "them"

And while I firmly believe in the promise of democracy and the power of good laws (shout out to all my fellow poly-sci majors out there!)

This is a reminder that the candidates won't save you/us.

Empathy can be manipulated/sold cheap from a stage.

Vote - engage - debate - but the most transformative power we hold is when we actually care enough to hold the stories of our fellow citizens with care -

To listen, to ponder, to allow their realities to (re)shape our practices.

Lean in, ask someone who thinks differently than you do to "tell me more" today without judgement (resist the urge to jump in/interrupt/change their mind),

Ask, "what is this like for you right now? What are you hoping for? What are you scared of?"

Consider how/if their perspective should shift your positions.