Every year when I was young my siblings and I would always ask my mom what she wanted for her birthday. Her birthday is on Oct. 5.

Every single year, she always had the same reply. She said, “I just want you kids to be nice to one another and get along, that would be the best present I could ever ask for.”

In honor of my mom’s yearly request that we just be nice to one another, I will mention a few ways the folks of Lawrence County could be nicer to one another.

I was always taught and told the saying, “Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” I like this saying. It’s simple. I think over the next few weeks, we could really use this phrase. It is political time in our country, and that means a higher amount of political rhetoric. Please try and follow these simple rules:

• Practice empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Being able to simply see another person’s perspective is a great gift. You do not have to agree with a foe in order to see the other side of the argument.

• Know your facts. Knowing facts will help you to improve the stance you are trying to make for your constituents.

• Keep your emotions under control. Swearing or bullying has no place in our society. Leadership is not how loud you can be, it’s how many constructive projects you can accomplish with the help and belief of others.

• Respect your opponent. You can respect someone without agreeing with a certain stance they may have. We forget this lesson too much.

• Go out and vote on Nov. 6, 2018. This is the best, quietest way to cut through all of the rhetoric.

Other ways to be nicer to one another would be to take advantage of Make A Difference Day.

This upcoming Saturday, Oct. 27, is a wonderful day that is celebrated throughout the United States.

It can be as easy as opening doors for people, offering your chair to the elderly, standing when a woman enters the room and simply saying please and thank you. You can also donate either money or time to any of the amazing local churches and organizations that help our area.

Think about the United Way, Humane Societies, AARF, and other great organizations that put people and pets first. Be Kind.

 

Scott Schmeltzer is the Publisher at The Tribune. To reach him, call 740-532-1441 ext. 16 or by email at scott.schmeltzer@irontontribune.com.