A Political Converstation With My Mom

On Friday afternoon at around four, my mom and I arrived home. It was a good but long day up to that point. I thought she would drop me off and head back to the family business. As usual, she ate some food and headed to leave, but then we started to talk about politics, about the country, our state, my classes, and the politicians that impact our lives, about the policies they change and other things they do.
I found the conversation kind of annoying at first. I was thinking why would I want to listen to my mom, I already know what she has to say..it's not going to be anything new. As the conversation started, I felt my attention drifting, wanting to go on my phone and other things. I had no desire to listen to her. But, as she talked and I shared my opinions about different things and how my perspectives have changed over the years and the fact that these things really do matter and that I had seen their consequences. That I was noticing more how these things really impact the world. Then she told me that my view may be distorted. That I didn't really know about these other places like I thought. That it is not all rosy like it sometimes seems. That things can be dark and awful. That there's always another side to the story. As we talked, I gained increased respect for her and her views and values that I had taken for granted. That she really knows what she's doing and thinks more then she will ever let on. Also, that more than ever before that I must stand up for these values, more than I have ever in the past. As she left nearly an hour and a half later, I was left to think. About my mother and I. I realize very rarely how I sometimes, not very often, will simply ignore what someone says. Usually family members, I can't say specifically why, but sometimes when a family member is talking, a switch is flipped, and my attention dies. I have seen this happen only twice, but when it does, I make sure to keep my own attention on them even more, because I value what they say and who they are. Because, they are able to be the most candid with me. To share their exact thoughts with less judgement than anyone else.
To share their thinking.
As I had that discussion with my mother and realized all of this, I also realized how much I analyzed things more than I used to. How I censor what other people say to decide if it is true or a lie. To decide if what they share is worth my time and thought. If what they are saying is honestly from them or from another person, without any thought. So I suppose this was a lesson on thought and people for me. And how distracting your own opinions and pride can be. And most importantly that you must pay attention to the people that matter. Those in your family and the friends around you and what they think and say. Because, they can teach you lessons that matter more importantly than anyone else, and also that they may share their character and teach you a lesson without even knowing it.

Observation, Reflection, Continuous Learning.

A train. As I move towards the exit, anticipating my stop, I see a man. He is on the phone with someone discussing a Christmas gift for his children. He seems a little disturbed and stressed out. I wonder what the stress is over.
           Some worn out jeans, a bright yellow construction worker vest, and some muddy boots. These are what a middle aged man wears. He sits on the corner bench of the train, away from everyone else. He holds a phone in his hand. The cheapest kind. He is talking to someone else on the other end. A new home for his kids for Christmas. He says that he cannot because of a lack of money.
           Initially, I would have thought less of him based on his outfit, but realized how judgmental and terrible that really was. He was doing the best he could, wishing, but being unable to purchase a new home for his kids. He sounded sort of devastated by that fact, disappointed in himself. However, after my realization, I felt that he was doing the best that he could. That he was trying his hardest and that if his kids would have heard him say that they would be grateful to their father for caring for them and that he was hoping to buy them a house to live in once he had some money.