Great post! When I was a teen, I realized that I didn't actually hate many of the things I casually said I did. This actually came about because I noticed a lot of people being abusive and dismissive about our president at the time (George W. Bush in the US), and it made me uncomfortable. I disagreed with his politics, but a difference of opinion and objectives doesn't make the other person unintelligent or unworthy of basic decency. So I decided to say I hated things less, so that I could actually engage with them: I disliked GW Bush's policies, so I wrote him letters, and volunteered with organizations that aligned with my goals, and I thought about how to create the change I wanted, and I voted for congress members that supported the same beliefs. Rather than just complaining, I decided to work for change, and it helped me feel better than if I had stewed in my dislike.

While he had far more power than I did, the president was also just another person, and changing how I thought about him kept me from getting stuck in negativity. I think focusing on what we can change is better.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!