Blame

If you have been watching TV lately, you have seen a number of ads that blame the other party or a specific politician for some of the problems or maybe for all the problems that we are experiencing in this society. Once again, the politics of fear seem to be leading the charge for both of the major political parties. Blame and accountability are different things. We should hold our political leaders accountable for their actions. But we can certainly do this without adding the huge amount of emotional baggage that blame adds to the formula. Emotions such as hate, anger and fear only distort our thinking and do not allow us to think rationally and to make good decisions. Hopefully, as we go to the polls in November, we will put aside the blame game and think clearly about what is best for ourselves, our families and our society. Holding people accountable will help us do this. Blaming will not.


Ron Breazeale, Ph.D.
Psychologist and Author of Reaching Home
www.reachinghome.com

Thinking Clearly

Emotions often act as a filter on our thinking. Anyone who has been in love knows that we often do not think very clearly about the person that we are in love with. We may minimize or deny the differences that we have with them. And when it comes to such emotions as anger and fear, we may demonize the individual, or the group or the political party that is scaring us or making us angry. Unfortunately, when we make decisions, such as marriage or how we vote when we are wearing these emotional filters, we often make poor decisions. With the election only a week away, hopefully we will be able to think clearly about what is best for us, our families and our nation rather than to act out of emotion.



Ron Breazeale, Ph.D.
Psychologist and Author of Reaching Home
www.reachinghome.com