Todays post is going to be a little bit different. It is not very family or relationship focused, although I do believe these principles are true within the family. Today is just me getting a few thoughts and feelings I had off my chest.
We have all seen the recent chaos in the world. It seems that every day there are more and more divisions between people, violence, and rage. I am not here to try and say which political side is right, or to point the blame at any group. I just feel strongly about how we should treat others around us.
There will always be people who disagree with us, people who do horrible things, and problems to be addressed in society. When trying to influence people around us for the better we have many effective and ineffective ways to do this. The most ineffective way that I’ve seen is shutting down any chance for teaching and dialogue by immediately screaming at, attacking, and labeling those who disagree with any point of what you’re saying. Not only does that alienate potential allies that may only disagree on one or two things but overall agree with you, I have also never seen it change anyone’s mind.
I have had a few big changes in opinion during my lifetime. They involved political changes and changes in some of my societal perspectives. Not one of these changes came about because someone attacked who I was as a person and made me feel bad. When someone attacks you, you tend to become defensive. All of these changes came about by repeated exposure to those who think differently than me. Hearing their opinions on social matters, having calm discussions with them, and not feeling like if I didn’t agree they would immediately become hostel, allowed me to take others points of view and learn some deep and powerful lessons.
This is why I feel that cutting people out of your life over disagreements, name calling, and especially violence, will never make a lasting change on people. You may be able to change a few policies, but that will never fix some of the issues this society has. To do that you have to be able to change peoples hearts. Changing a law can only do so much to stop vile behavior, changing their hearts can do much more.
Craysy Life 