I see a lot of post here about broken friendships and family relationships.
I have a good system I'd like to share.
I have a handful of very close friends and family that are diverse and I've managed to maintain those relationships flawlessly. Here is how.
For starters: If debate you must, then debate from a center point. You don't have to be disingenuous, but you can tone down your beliefs, or you can at least pivot from a neutral aspect.
My family knows how I really feel, yet I am able to still debate them respectfully from the center. If we can move their views from MSM to neutral, thats a big step.
Example;
Them: "What do you think about war in Ukraine?"
Me: "Both sides are garbage."
Them: "Fair point."
Vs.
Me: "Putin is saving the world and satanist are trafficking children in Ukraine in secret underground tunnels!"
A bit dramatic, but thats 100% how it sounds to normies. Thats stressful. Thats too much.
(Funny note: Remember season 2 of stranger things how they had to break the srory of Barb to the public? That is exactly how we must approach this.)
Next step: Stop. Spamming. Your. Loved ones!
Stop sending them walls of text about how the vaccine will kill them. Stop going off about adrenachrom.
That is toxic behavior. Even if you are right. Tho, we can never be certain, we should always remember there is a possibility we are wrong. Humble yourself.
It is not your job to save them. They are adults, respect them and treat them as such.
Warn them once or twice is fine, but going beyond that is abusive.
Just like a pro vaxxer trying to force you to take the vax. Because they are scared for you. Just as scared as you are scared for them.
Realize both sides are coming from a place of love. But its not healthy love. You can't force viewpoints onto people. You can't shelter them from the real world. Stop trying to parent your peers!
At the end of the day. We are all adults. We all make our own choices. We all live with consequences, none of us are perfect. Let them be free to falter.
Side point: Remember, the truth isn't for everyone. Its stressful. Your loved ones have their own lives, their own stresses and headaches. The last thing they need is an Alex Jones rant bombarding them when theyre just trying to live life as best they can.
God doesn't need you to save them. All he needs is for you to carry your own weight.
Which leaves me to my last advice: Be the example.
Come to terms with all of this. You need to stop living in fear. Find your peace, and live your life accordingly. If you can find peace and happiness in these times. If you can concor fear, if you can be the stable level headed one. Then guess what?
People will naturally follow you. You don't have to then turn around and cram every bit of info you have into their brains. No. Be neutral. Be there for what and when they need.
Not for when you need to vent your fears and frustrations onto people.
We aren't saviors. We are guidpost at best. Remember to love and respect even the normalest of normies. Treat them how you want to be treated. Be patient. Let go, stop trying to controll them. Work on yourselves, always work to be done in thay area for all of us. Thats the healthiest, kindest way we can help people. By working on ouselves so we can be stable and strong in the worst of times.
Closing:
You aren't bad for not constantly warning everyone. Stop carrying that burden around!
You didn't do this to the world, and its okay to let go!
Its okay to talk about superfical things with loved ones. Even do things like shop at stores you don't support (Occasionally)
Compromise.
Let yourself enjoy the time we do have together. You will realize how healing it is for both of you.
Talk about gardening, go fishing. (Hey, theyre skillsets anyway right?)
Enjoy life together outside of politics and world events. It is very possible. I promise. God bless and much love frens.
I appreciate your sentiments. But where do you take a family relationship once they ridicule/discredit you, after you are doing the right thing and trying to share vital information? They're essentially telling me I'm stupid, and they don't respect me. I've wrestled with this ever since then. We all live separated by thousands of miles, and the phone and email are our only contact otherwise.
I feel you. Its a major blow to the ego for sure.
I can see how badly that hurts, like they didn't even respect you enough to make their stand in an at least civil way. That does suck and that is not fair.
Tho, realize, this was done in a heat of emotions. Your brother probably thinks you are as ridiculous as you think he is.
Your brother probably feels like your advice will kill your father. Just as much as you do.
Very powerful emotion there. Understandable.
First off. I would not apologize. You did nothing wrong, or even, you were all in the wrong at the heat of the moment. (Maybe you ridiculed them a bit too? Idk)
I would say something like.
"Look, I still feel strongly about how I do, but, I am willing to accept your choices, and to respect the way you feel about this, IF you can respect my outlook in the same manor. Not that we need to talk about it anymore. As Id rather not. But I would like to stay in contact with you both again... So, hows the weather?"
Thank you. It would be awesome if everyone on this planet were as patient and tactful as you!
It’s not that hard once you learn to leave your ego behind. U/miztivin is spot on. Here’s good mind training exercise ABC’s
Antecedent- the thing that happens before Belief- how you handle it Consequence- the end result
Let’s use your example.
A- You and your brother disagree about the vaccine. Both of you have very strong emotional opinions coming from a good place B -(we’ll circle back) C- He gets jabbed you don’t, dad sides with propaganda, fear, brother
Back to B. The only part of this situation you have control over is your belief. Or how you handle the situation.
So what is best for you?
You see, the antecedent happened, as well as, the consequence. Your brother and father still got the jab. You had no control. The only thing you have control over is how your belief or how you handle a situation. When confronted with a situation, take a few beathes, count to 10, and run the ABC’s. Before you know it, you’ll have mind fooked your ego
I didn't make choice #1...they essentially ridiculed me and told me to stop sending them articles. Since they disrespected me, I realized they've actually been doing it for years.
I wish I had family members like you!