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Political Valentine
February 14, 2005
Donna Zajonc

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and lovers, which is not the spirit with which we look upon the current political realities.

I hear from so many people that they are politically depressed. They report giving up hope that our politicians and brand of negative politics will ever change. Here is a sample of an email I received this morning just as I sat down to write this newsletter.

"In all my 30+ years of living in Washington D.C, I've never seen relations between the GOP and Demos break down as they have today. It's stomach-churning to watch the attacks and smearing going on now - myself, I'm sick of it. It's gone far beyond the 'politics as usual' level and we're now in a whole new Dark Age of government."

Can you feel her despair and heartache? Americans are expressing a collective grief that is crippling our country's greatness. The political polarization she describes is overwhelming us. Our collective political depression smothers our cultural genius in the same way that our individual depression incapacitates us. It threatens our belief in ourselves and the bedrock philosophies of optimism upon which our country is built.

My personal experience as an elected political leader tells me that politicians do not get too far out in front of those who elect them. Could it be that cynical politicians are actually echoing back to us the individual conversations that we each have? Consider for a moment the possibility that politicians really follow our lead.

How can we expect inspiring leaders if we ourselves are not inspired?

Let's hold up a mirror and consider the possibility that our country's polarization is reflective of our own cynical spirit. Rather than blame our leaders, let's concentrate on changing our own perspective. In order to break the cycle of polarization, we must identify and own our contribution to the current state of affairs.

Until we take personal steps to reverse our contribution to our country's downward spiral we will not, as a nation, work our way out of the very serious issues that are facing America and the world.

The first step toward a healthier world is to acknowledge our own cynical views rather than pointing fingers toward others. In fact, this is the only thing we can change.

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to begin focusing on what we love rather than what depresses us. Consider these strategies that will help you move beyond your own personal case of political depression:

1. Think about how you think. In what ways might you be contributing to our country's cynicism? Think of a specific conversation or thought you have had recently that is indicative of "I am right and they are wrong" thinking.

2. Allow yourself to have your cynicism, but don't let your cynicism have you. Acknowledge we all feel pessimistic from time to time.

3. Be conscious of what you read and listen to. Protect your psychic energy by limiting your contact with negative and gossiping people or pessimistic news.

4. Ask a friend to hold you accountable when your language turns negative or polarizing. This could be a Valentine gift you give one another and a commitment to cease conversations riddled with complaints.

5. Organize a community forum through your church, synagogue or mosque to discuss all that is good in your community and how to work together on worthwhile projects.

6. Read inspiring biographies of people you admire.

7. Write a Valentine note to friends, relatives or colleagues that have inspired you. Tell them what their mentoring and love has meant to you.

8. Call your local media and ask them to emphasize programming that promotes the good in your community.

9. Last and possibly most important, send a Valentine to your representatives, (national or local), and encourage them to build collaborative bridges rather than furthering polarization.

Some political pundits say that reversing our culture's cynical attitude is a "soft" idea and what we really need are more reminders of the real dangers we face in the world. Their attitude is symptomatic of the depths of despair that has overcome our country.

Rewiring the fear and replacing it with radical hope so we can begin constructive action, may be this generation's greatest challenge and contribution. Changing this mindset begins with you and me - one Valentine at a time!

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Donna Zajonc is a Political Leadership Coach, a former three-term Oregon Legislator and was her party's nominee for Secretary of State. She has also managed several campaigns including a highly visible governor's campaign. Donna challenges her clients to prepare for public office with the same rigor that all professionals seek.