Dear Andi,

It’s tough, in these days, with a polarizing president full of hate & bile, in a country bitter & resentful, to have to work so hard just to prove that you’re still the same, still yarning to unite & get to know people regardless of what they look like.

What it takes is communication. Talking to individuals, hearing their stories & their points of view. We all just want to be heard, to be understood. To quote Voltaire, “I may disagree with what you’re saying, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.”

And just treating people the way we all want to be treated — the Golden Rule. It may sound simplistic, but just because it’s not complicated doesn’t mean that it doesn’t work. But when you’re in a hurry, when you’re frustrated, when you’re feeling stressed & burdened, it’s difficult to slow down & take a deep breath & pay attention to others. Difficult, but very important.