Put Down Your Signs
Today, I’m honored to share a guest post from my not-so-little brother, Adam Royse. Adam has spent his life catching his dreams, earning a captain’s license at 18, his private pilot license at 25, and networking his way into dream-related jobs. He’s joining me at next month’s Quitter Conference…where I hope he’ll figure out the value of Twitter.
(update: follow him here!)Proud of you, Jakie! – Love, Sadie
‘Tis the political season. Again.
Last week, Mitt Romney and his merry tribe visited my tiny coastal hamlet of St. Augustine, Florida.
We are an eclectic bunch here encompassing all types; artists and hippies, bums and drunks, professionals and a good collection of wanabees.
I observed the crowd on my way across the square to the post office. Plain as day, the Obama folks were berating the Romney supporters about some minor issue or another and the Romney folks were handing it back in spades.
It struck me that here, in politics, and in most facets of our modern life, the spirit of compromise, civility and mutual respect have gone the way of the slide rule.
From this politico example, to business applications, school, even the line at Starbucks- we just seem to have lost it.
Seemingly gone are the days of “agreeing to disagree” and accepting anothers interpretation of something. Lines in the sand are drawn and minds close. We tend to compartmentalize, make policies and procedures for even the simplest of tasks. We are now so quick to forward our own agenda and perhaps feed an ego, even if it is on the back of another. Generally it is not with malice, but merely a by product of our modern culture.
What changed? Hard to say, maybe the constant onslaught of news, reality television, cell phones..blame it on anything, but perhaps it is just us.
Stop, slow down, recall a simpler time. Listen to the guy at work that might have something to say. Just because you have a better title, doesn’t mean the other person is inferior. We love to use foolish sayings like “think outside of the box”, but how about checking no boxes at all and just think? Talk to those surrounding you, listen to what they have to say and deviate from the norm.
Educate yourself, think for yourself, and form your own opinion, regardless of subject- but then realize that is what it is- YOUR opinion. Maybe the guy in line at Starbucks has a differing one. Chat him up, learn why he thinks that way. By engaging others and learning their point of view we may well modify or affirm our own. But if nothing else we’ve offered the forum.
Returning from the post office, the political crowd was still at it, shaking their signs and shouting at each other, seemingly on specialized topics that have little to do with the big picture. It never ends. A closed mind and a big mouth can be a dangerous combination. Let’s be civil, tolerant and kind to one another. Try it-you may be surprised what you get in return.
Really…Just try it. And tell us how it went in the comments…
*Photo Credit: Andrew Dallos (Creative Commons)
**Editor’s Note: The photo above does not indicate political support for or against either party or candidate. For the record, I’m not really fond of either candidate, nor am I in full agreement with the platforms of either party. They both have some strengths, they both have a lot of weaknesses. As for the picture, I just thought a pug with a political position was preposterous. -Christine
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About Christine
I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.
Great point, Adam. We need to be more open to what others have to say and listen to them, rather than have them hear what we have to say. We’ll never expand our viewpoints or see things a different way unless we invite that dialogue in.
A great example of this I have been encountering recently is a through some recent conversations with a coworker. He is a former Christian, now Atheist. I am a former Atheist, now Christian. We’ve had some interesting conversations, but often hit a stalemate by thinking the other should go back to seeing things “the old way”.
Last night, I told him, “I don’t mean this in a confrontation way. Just an observation. You constantly take a stand against Christians, and other religious groups because we ‘push our viewpoints on others’, but all you ever talk about is how I should see things your way. Doesn’t that make you guilty of the very thing you protest?”
Surprisingly, he said, “Yes. I’m a hypocrite.” And our conversation turned extremely pleasant following that. And it all began with a gentle suggestion of seeing things from the other’s viewpoint.
It works. If people would just let themselves hear others.
Cool story, Scott…thanks for sharing!
I love this, Adam. I would love to see more people having conversations and learning to love each other despite their different opinions. It’s something I try to show to others. If we can call start doing this, we can change the world. Great post.
You’re right, Tammy…we won’t make a dent in the world if we stay isolated and love only the people who agree with us. The irony is our need for a community of like-minded people to encourage us as we reach out to broaden our perspectives. 😉
Skottydog , Interesting point with your example. Strong beliefs are just that, but not necessarily the end all. Hypocrisy is a character trait that everyone likely has in one form or another, but open mindedness maybe one that needs developing to properly manifest itself.
And Tammy thanks for having a look, we may not solve all the world problems and sit around a campfire singing the ubitiqous Kumbaya, but it is a start.
Thanks a lot. Now THAT is stuck in my head.
Adam, really enjoyed this. Can’t wait to meet you! I totally loved this post. I’m sure you are a cool cat. And you have to be just a LITTLE sarcastic being related to Christine. A little sarcasm is a good thing. It keeps things entertaining
It does run in the family..look forward to seeing you as well.