[minusman]

One personal development skill that I find very useful, and that most people don't use enough, is empathy. I don't believe I can truly have a strong conviction or opinion about something until I can fully understand all aspects of the situation. This doesn't only involve recognizing opposing viewpoints, but feeling, rationalizing, reasoning, and understanding them.

Also, empathy, to me, involves recognizing that there is an actual person involved with the opposing viewpoint -- a thinking, loving, feeling person. So, no matter how strongly I feel about something, people that feel the opposite, or differently, are usually doing it for what they believe are good and just reasons. They believe in their viewpoint just as strongly as I do.

But, with that all said, empathy is very hard to consistently put into practice. When discussing tough issues, it is too easy to get emotional and judge. It is too easy to vilify the other person. I find this happening a lot recently with the political primaries happening. Political views are some of the strongest and most passionate views most people have -- things like abortion, gun control, freedoms, privacy, and morality. When discussing these things it's so easy to see everything as black or white, right or wrong.

I think a great 30-day trial would be 'switching teams', if you will, in the political arena. Take all your strongest political leanings, and lean the other way. Go to rallies and canvass with the 'other side.' Hold up signs on the corner or up signs in your yard.

So, let's say you're a Democrat, and fairly liberal, pro-choice and an atheist. Pick Mike Huckabee and support him for a month. Join his meetup.com groups. Meet locally with his supporters. Research his viewpoints and really try to relate to him as a rational caring person. Go door-to-door canvassing for him. Work the phone lines at one of his offices. Try to really believe in him. And don't tell your neighbors or friends (the ones that don't read your website). Let them think you have really switched.

Is it possible to fully understand opposing political views in 30 days? I don't know. It would be fascinating to read about how your thoughts on different subjects change throughout the month. Would your neighbors and friends start treating you differently with a Mike Huckabee sign in your front yard as opposed to an Obama one, for example. Would you change your viewpoint on certain things? Would you feel less strong, or stronger, about certain things?

I didn't read any of the other comments, so I apologize if this idea has already been suggested.