The Politics of the Human Spirit: The Eternal Game
Some of The Most Dangerous Politicians Never Even Run for Office
Since we first huddled around the warmth of fire in caves, humans have been playing the game of politics. It's woven into our DNA, as natural as breathing.
We typically think of politics only being on the national scale. The epic live-action reality show of international relations, legislation, and all the juicy drama that comes along with it.
Turn on the news, and you'll see the same theatrical performance playing out day after day.
But politics is everywhere.
We do it in business, in relationships, and even with strangers. Sometimes without even trying.
That subtle head nod to acknowledge another driver letting you merge? Politics. The way you phrase that email to your boss's boss? Pure politics.
It's an intricate game, and here's the kicker – you can either opt in or out.
But choosing to opt out doesn't mean others stop playing. While you're taking the moral high ground, someone else is building alliances, gathering influence, and shaping the world around you.
Think about your last team meeting.
Who spoke first?
Who stayed quiet but had everyone's attention when they finally chimed in?
That's politics in action, raw and unfiltered. No Capitol building required.
But here's where things get messy – we've let the game consume us. We're so caught up in the daily drama of national politics that we've forgotten about the human-scale politics that actually shape our lives.
The kind that determines whether your neighborhood gets that new park or another strip mall. The kind that decides if your kid's school gets funding for art programs.
And look, I get it. The big show is addictive.
It's designed to keep us glued to our screens, arguing about things we have little control over while the real decisions happen in quiet rooms we'll never see.
So, what do we do?
Stay informed…but don't let it steal your soul. If you're up for it, play the game, but remember it's just that – a game.
Keep your humanity intact.
Build real connections.
Fight for what matters in your community.
Because at the end of the day, politics isn't about winning arguments on social media or proving you're right. It's about navigating the complex web of human relationships with your dignity intact.
It's about understanding power without letting it corrupt you.
The game isn't going anywhere. But maybe, just maybe, we can play it better.
Here's what I've learned watching this game play out in boardrooms and backyard barbecues alike: the most skilled politicians aren't the ones making headlines. They're the quiet influencers who understand that real power lies in the spaces between official authority.
They know when to speak and when to listen. When to build bridges and when to draw lines. They recognize that every interaction carries the potential for alliance or opposition, and they choose their moments with careful precision.
But there's a cost to this awareness.
Once you see the game for what it is, you can't unsee it.
Every meeting becomes a chess match.
Every conversation carries undertones of strategy.
It's exhausting, and it's tempting to retreat into cynicism.
Don't.
Instead, use this awareness to build something better.
Use your understanding of power dynamics to protect those who don't see the game being played around them.
Use your influence to create spaces where genuine connection can flourish despite the ever-present pull of political maneuvering.
Because ultimately, that's the real test of character in this grand game: not whether you can play it well, but whether you can play it while holding onto your humanity.
Whether you can wield influence without becoming intoxicated by it.
Whether you can see the game clearly while remembering that the players are people first, politicians second.
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Happy Valentines Day,
Brady