The Face of Things

Facts matter and so does ART

Every moment is a great time to reflect on the past lessons, and present futuristic dream seeds.

Most of the time we can spend our lives searching for fulfillment only to discover that we were looking in the wrong places…

In reflection of the face of things at times, this may include interactions with others and encountering various viewpoints we may disagree with. Often it is our egos or pride that can get in the way of us being able to listen to opposing opinions and we can end up aggressively yet passionately seeking to persuade someone else to our position or we can provoke increased hostilities BY NOT listening enough. Hence, it seems that when we emotionally attach ourselves to a set of beliefs we feel connected to and passionate about it may be more difficult to remain calm when listening to opposing opinions and views. However, if we are able to overcome our aroused emotional state intelligently we can foster meaningful and healthy conversations with others in peace. So how can we remain open and emotional temperate to other opinions and viewpoints?

We’ll almost certainly meet folks with whom we disagree or don’t get along. Instead of burying our heels in even more to defend our own ideas and convictions, it’s best to listen to what they have to say. This will take practice but is worth the effort. Listen carefully and try to comprehend what others are saying. Spend less time defending your position and more time learning about the other person and their viewpoints. In summary, seek to understand rather than to be understood within this phase of the interactive conversation before you give your response. Become an active listener. Try to refrain from thinking of counterarguments while someone is talking or thinking of the next responsive comment. Empty your mind and consume yourself with the words being expressed by someone else.

Bottom line As much as you would like someone to agree with your position and accept your beliefs the same way you do resist the need to want to aggressively persuade them. We ought to resist attempts to control others. Recognize that a person has the right to accept or reject a belief and we must also accept that we may not have all the expert answers for everything either. Even if you are right and disagree with someone, you don’t have to tell them what to do or give them advice. While it’s admirable to be helpful, don’t be overbearing. Know when it’s better to agree to disagree. And that’s okay.

In modern times especially on social media, the thirst by some individuals to control others and persuade others on how they ought to think is real. But humanity is at its best when we forfeit our pride and the need to be right, we then can allow room for open discourse and the exchange of ideas. Sharing non-criminal ideas and viewpoints help humanity stay informed and reach beneficial solutions to complex problems. Hopefully, we can transcend our School Yard approach to conversing with others and actually be able to communicate in a healthy manner.

It’s sad we are living through times where there is so much division over disagreements that people are being polarized and divided just because they disagree on certain issues. As a result, massive censorship of free speech is taking place. And For some, these are make-or-break issues. However, it is a living hope we the people do more than break communication but repair it one meaningful conversation at a time.

“The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie–deliberate, contrived and dishonest–but the myth–persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.“

 –John F. Kennedy