As the result of a recent personal revelation, I have decided to finally address a major personal character flaw, head-on. I have this overriding tendency to focus on my differences with other people, rather than finding common ground. Whether this manifests itself in the interaction itself (less often), or has me feeling out of place and frustrated (more often), I can't help myself from feeling like I will not find peace unless I make others understand the "errors of their ways" and convert them to my way of thinking. What a futile and negative way to approach the rest of my fellow monkeys!
I am far, far overdue in realizing that there is really almost no benefit to it whatsoever. I don't need to change my opinions or worldview one iota; I simply need to put my energies towards changing the world for the better in constructive ways (influencing people through how I live my life, if that is meant to be; putting time & effort & money into causes in which I believe; talking with people who invite open, constructive dialogue). I've done this before-for years I think I've been very "non-militant" about my vegetarianism, realizing that (with most people) I am dealing with a non-bridgable gap and that our society isn't that close to being ready for that discussion. As a result of my actions (inactions?), I have piqued the curiousity of a number of people through the years, who happen to learn of my diet incidentally. And I have been involved with a surprisingly large number of fruitful discussions with people who are not even close to my way of thinking about it. I'm hoping I can apply that approach much more broadly, to the majority of my views.
I drank a Leiney's Creamy Dark last night. With it, I offer now a belated toast to my buddies: "Here's to a happier Dan!"
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4 comments:
Yeah Dan! With a very crazy wekend, I have yet to do the very warm beer experiment. Since you mentioned beer, I thought that I would give you a quick update.
Self reflection is very good for a person. I have used it to handle my anger. I would say that my anger outbursts are A LOT better and less frequent. Still a work in progress.
Definitely not the first time I've embarked upon a project of self-examination & change; but usually you expect such a thing to take years. I'm kind of looking to kick this habit or trait or whatever as much as I can immediately.
Certainly a potentially subtle yet profound change.
Good luck.
Will be interesting to see how this affects all my woe to this point over how "crowds of my sort are smaller and more scattered."
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