Our divisive two party system is ineffective and damaging.

Even worse, the news exploits our need to identify with political groups (acceptance) and social issues (justice) for monetary gain. As a part of removing negativity from my life, I stopped watching the news. I'm happier now.

This morning I decided to start reading a little more so I picked up a book my son gave me titled "I and Thou" by Martin Buber. I'd like to share the first page with you.

Man's world is manifold, and his attitudes are manifold. What is manifold is often frightening because it is not neat and simple. Men prefer to forget how many possibilities are open to them.

They like to be told that there are two worlds and two ways. This is comforting because it is so tidy. Almost always one way turns out to be common and the other one is celebrated as Superior.

Those who tale of two ways and praise one are recognized as profits or great teachers. They save men from confusion and hard choices. They offer a single choice that is easy to make because those who do not take the path that is committed to them live a wretched life.

To walk far on this path may be difficult, but the choice is easy, and to hear the celebration of this path is Pleasant. Wisdom offers simple schemes, but truth is not so simple.

Not all Simplicity is wise. But a wealth of possibility breeds dread. Hence those who speak of many possibilities speak to the few and are of help to even fewer. The wise offer only two, of which one is good, and does help many.

Ha! It would appear as though I can't escape the two party system. It would seem that Buber doesn't give humanity much credit when he lends wisdom to simplicity. Either way, Buber's last sentence illustrates the problem with our two party system, "...of which one is good..." When we relegate our thoughts to an "us-them" behavior we limit our ability to find the "good". Surely, none of us are so naive to think that one party is entirely good and the other one is entirely bad.

I guess this is why I enjoy sitting quietly in nature. It isn't divisive. It helps keep me centered and humbled. Nature has no choice but truth and therefore it is good.

As always... Think, share, and appreciate as often as you are able forgiving yourself and others of human Frailty for together we may grow. - Dale Woodfin