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Just a quick note on my philosophy on life. I believe a lot of things, and those things
work for me. I choose not to believe in other things, and that is my freedom to
do so. I feel like we are so often buffeted by controversy and rageface,
especially when we’re online for any measure of time, or if we have the
misfortune of being drawn into political ‘discussion’. It’s really important
that we try to remember to respect and understand another’s opinions and
choices.
I think the crux of all bigotry and friction lies at its
very heart a big discomfort with things that are different. Maybe it’s religion,
maybe it’s sexuality, maybe it’s an opinion on a book.
But here’s what you need to remember:
Different isn't evil.
Different isn't wrong.
Different doesn't need to be hidden, castigated, shunned or
changed.
Different isn't scary.
It’s just different.
If you’re straight, and that guy is gay, so what?
If you’re Christian, and that guy is Muslim, so what?
If you thought Star Wars was the best thing ever, but that
guy never really liked it at all, so what?
Life shouldn't be about wasting your energy hating, fearing,
or trying to change the people around you. Granted, if you love something like
Star Wars, or Religion, you might have this crazy wild urge to find someone to
share it with. That’s GREAT! Up until the point that you keep pushing your
opinions on someone else after they've politely said they are not interested.
Bigotry and hate is like a mushroom farm, it thrives best
when locked away in the dark and is fed on bullsh*t. If there are people who
are vastly different from you, rather than trying to change them your time
would be much better spent trying to understand and learn more about them, and
why they feel that way. You might find your opinions change… or they don’t!
Exploring a new religion doesn't mean you’ll automatically
convert. Just like watching the Star Wars box set with an obsessed friend doesn't mean you’ll run out and buy a light saber. Life is full of choices; make the
choices that are right for you. Based
on your experience and what makes you
happy.
As a corollary, don’t let other people tell you how to
think, act, feel. Not religion, not family, not politics. People give you
opinions that are often what they hope will make you happy, but they are
opinions, not edicts. You figure out what is right for you.
There are limits of course to healthy expression. Do not do
anything that impedes another person’s life, freedom, or self. Don’t mess with
children or animals. Don’t be a predator. And don’t be a dick.
I have a lot of opinions and I feel strongly about some
things. I do not expect you to agree with me. I only hope that you will keep an
open mind and listen to all the words before deciding on a judgement. I’ve
realized that almost all of my pent up frustration, especially regarding
politics, comes out of a feeling that people keep making damning judgments about
others. Everyone in politics seems so eager to assign blame while accepting
none. It all becomes us vs them rhetoric and it’s just exhausting.
I’m in favor of fairness. I’m in favor of equality. I’m in
favor of personal freedoms being protected by law. I’m in favor of listening,
not condemning.
So that’s my philosophy. I do have my bad days, like
everyone else, I have days when I get mad, or I get frustrated, or I’m totally
baffled by something. I’m not perfect.
But no one is.
And that’s okay.
Liz
