Since everyone seems to have an opinion on the MAGA hats, I thought I might add my two cents on a hat I think is needed much more. In fact, I believe that in order to actually make America great again, we might need to start with making America KIND again.

And I believe this has to start on social media.

My gosh, the judgement, the cruel and scathing remarks, the harsh, bitter and cutting comments that I have been reading in the past few years make me sick to my stomach.

It’s suddenly become a forum where MY opinion means more than anyone else’s.

MY opinion is right.

MY opinion is the only way to think.

AND, if your opinion differs: you are a moron, a racist, a homophobe, a pedophile, a whore, a baby killer, a nazi, a kool-aid drinker, ignorant, uneducated, a sheep, evil, etc.

And all this is coming from our connections, followers, and get this, “friends”.

FRIENDS? I am betting you would NEVER speak to a friend in this manner if you were face to face, and yet on social media, for some reason, some people think this is ok.

It’s NOT!

And I for one, find it unacceptable.

It is perfectly ok for you to have an opinion, it is perfectly ok for you to disagree. What is not ok, is to accuse, cut or attack someone who thinks differently.

Whatever happened to agree to disagree?

Whatever happened to being respectful?

Whatever happened to being kind?

People who get so riled up and caught up in these debates honestly believe they are going to change someones mind.

They’re not.

They are just causing further divide.

Instead of pointing out why I am right and you are wrong, why can’t we actually discuss where we agree and try to figure a way to compromise?

Why have we all become all or nothing people?

The late, great Dr. Wayne Dyer famously wrote: “When given the choice to be right or to be kind, choose kind.” The minute I read that, I knew this statement was powerful.

If you truly value relationships, friendships, and connection, kindness is the bridge.

So the next time you see a video, or post, or comment that really seems to hit a nerve, I implore you to first stop and think: “If I were face to face with this person, what would I say and how would I say it?” And perhaps that will help make America kind again.

Sherrie Dunlevy is an author, speaker and Inspirationista. For more information, to order her best selling book “How Can I Help?” or to hire Sherrie to speak at your conference, workshop or special event go to www.SherrieDunlevy.com or contact her at SherrieDunlevy@gmail.com