Opinions, like Kleenex, should be held lightly and easily tossed. Otherwise, we tend to become proud and unteachable.

     The greatest sadness in America is not the poor character of our politicians or their shameful, mud-slinging language, but the inability of ordinary folks to really listen to one another and talk things over.

     It seems obvious to me that we are sacrificing unity, even love itself, on the altar of our politics. Over and over again I hear the same sad stories: “I don’t talk to my sister anymore … Our relationship has soured since the elections … I’m not going home for Thanksgiving.”

Where is the humility in these equations? And where the love?

     Humility starts with the admission that we might actually be wrong or misinformed. Enlightenment comes from really listening to those with whom we disagree. Reconciliation starts with the words, “I’m sorry,” which in turn enable love.

     Long after Trump and Biden and McConnell and Pelosi are gone, along with all the rest of them, the thing that will have mattered most in our lives — especially in our families — is how well we loved one another.

BONUS THOUGHT: To remind myself that my opinions aren’t sacred, I posted a sign in my office: “Most of What You Know Is Wrong.”