Maria Shriver

Our Best Buddies Challenge

By Maria Shriver

Follow @mariashriver

All of us know how much words matter -- how they can be used for good, to elevate our minds and our spirits...or used to defame and destroy, to create hurt, hatred and humiliation.

This week, I had the great privilege of presenting an award to my friend, Rob Lowe, at an event honoring his commitment to creating a more tolerant world. I am especially appreciative of the work he does for my brother's organization, Best Buddies.

Best Buddies is particularly sensitive to the force of language as it works to change the way the public views and treats and talks about people with intellectual disabilities.

This weekend, I'm traveling to our nation's capital to participate in the Best Buddies Challenge: Washington, DC. Best Buddies events have come to resemble family reunions -- my children, my brothers, my nieces and nephews all strap on helmets and ride for the cause. It's just wonderful.

But the truth is: everyone feels like family at a Best Buddies event. The thousands of passionate people coming together and devoting their time to making the world a more compassionate place are, in fact, a beautiful family.

I hope some of this same family spirit can be passed on as we near the final stretch of this important election. We would do well to remind ourselves of the power of words and that we are ultimately one American family.

As tensions mount, and as the rhetoric heats up from both sides trying to make their final political arguments, we should challenge ourselves to not get carried away by the moment and use wounding words against our family or friends or neighbors who may disagree with our positions.

Let's consider it our "Best Buddies Challenge".

God bless,