Hot Button Issues

I think most, if not all of us, have issues about which we feel great passion. When we speak about these topics we find ourselves getting animated and perhaps raising our voices. People around us might interpret our actions as our being angry or upset. That is not alway the case. As emotional beings, we tend to get excited from time to time and not always because we are angry. But there are times, of course, when we raise our voices over an issue because it does make us angry. Anger takes over our normal way of behaving and speaking. Before we know it, we are either lashing out at those around us or inciting the same type of behavior in others - either because they agree with us or because they feel we are unfairly attacking them. Then, almost without warning, we are engaged in a yelling match with another person.

Such an unfortunate scene has happened to all of us. It certainly has to me. When it does, I always walk away wishing I had a done a better job of keeping my cool. I have no problem with being passionate about an issue, but even being emotional about something is no excuse for coming across as verbally attacking another person. Beside being rude, it never leads to agreement over the issue that triggered the raised voices in the first place. This is why when it comes to hot button issues, I urge caution. While I do not believe they should be avoided, I do feel they need to be approached with the greatest respect. If we approach one without being prepared, then they can and often do bring out the worst in us.

In terms of communication, there is nothing worse than people who are interacting with no intention of being respectful or seeking any kind of civil understanding. That contributes nothing to the topic and, without question, harms how we are perceived. It is okay to be passionate about an issue. It is even ok to raise one's voice when talking about it - if that happens. But impeding communication is not ok. Interacting with another person while having no intention of listening to them is not ok either. Communication is about engagement. Good communication is an act of respect and civility. Hot button issues can be opportunities to bring out the best in ourselves.