by Joelle Steele

Thinking is an important part of my life. I spend a significant amount of time in contemplation, whether I’m meditating or simply day-dreaming. I’m an emotional person, but I’m also very logical, and this shapes my thinking to the extent that I make feeling and informed opinions and decisions.

I’m neither an optimist nor a pessimist. I’m a realist and most often an idealist. These would seem to put my thoughts into constant conflict, but instead they allow me to see what could be and how to make it so. The frustration arises when I’m faced with people who are so locked into their antiquated beliefs that they fail to see beyond those beliefs, and that means that they ultimately lack sufficient flexibility of thought to effect positive change and progress.

I’m not afraid to speak my mind when given the opportunity. I talk and I write letters to the editor. I live in a country with free speech. I don’t try to make other people agree with me or think like I do, and if they think differently, I defend their right to voice their beliefs and thoughts. It is their right, and I respect that right, even if I think they are wrong or downright ridiculous.

I consider voting to be a form of speaking my mind, of making my opinion count. But I struggle when it comes time to vote. I’m a pretty sharp cookie, but the issues that arise in political elections are often incredibly complex and I spend an awful lot of time trying to get a handle on the situation.

I have long noticed that most people don’t look at the big picture when it comes to voting. They’re preoccupied with their own personal agendas and don’t look at what is best for their country. When I vote, I know I’m not the only person who is going to be affected by what my candidate does if elected. So I look at what things are the most important issues impacting the lives of the greatest number of people, and cast my vote accordingly – I never vote a straight ticket. Nobody should.