Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Are you hated or loved?

It has been an interesting couple of months!

I have experienced feelings that are most comparable to Tom Hanks alone on that island, or to a prisoner in solitary confinement: I act a little crazy sometimes and debate with myself on issues, but it does pass the time. It also serves as a great way to keep my mind active, plus I never lose an argument!

Due to the malfunctioning radio in the work van, the only audio accompaniment to my work day has been conservative radio and it has driven me nearly insane. Not that I am a liberal, though conservatives would argue that, but it is the way in which messages are delivered and framed and how people go after other people without guilt that gets my gears going.

Considering the banter was mostly about politics, I figured it was harmless. Radio personalities criticizing political personalities is a wash. Both have agendas either through sponsors and advertisers, or donors and lobbyists.

Yet my aggravation has reached a point to where I am now tussling with myself over what used to be a non-issue!

So, I have developed a theory in which I base all of my opinions on these matters and luckily, after doing some research, there are some guidelines laid out in my all-time favorite book.

"Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets." Luke 6:22-23

And conversely.

"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets." Luke 6:26

So how exactly do you win? Obviously everyone wants to be blessed, not woe'd. So where do you draw the line in your popularity?

It seems that it is easy to criticize and judge other people that have differing viewpoints. Yet, it is getting even more popular to label people as extremists and condemn them for everything they say and do, despite context. But are you doing that person a favor by bringing the heat?

To me, there are more important things in life that people should be focused on. Instead of criticizing those who are different than you, why not accept them as another person in the world who was not cut from the same cloth? Embrace the differences and find mutual ground and understanding, then move into a dialog about your ideology and connect as human beings!

By doing so, not only will your positive feelings overcome your desire to ridicule, but you will also appreciate the variety that is amongst us.

We all have our motives. We need to realize that we don't like ideas forced on us, so we should not force ideas. Though our minds are not always made up, we are only open to ideas that are presented in ways that do not forcefully challenge our belief system.

Once you find the way to successfully communicate with those that have differing opinions, your ideas will experience an exponential amount of consideration, and may even have a chance at winning someone over.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be Sons of God." - Matthew 5:9

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