February 6, 2015 Chautauqua

Beth's Ponderings

   You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you. - Eric Hoffer

   Our world has been through a lot recently and it seems that the right to free expression, as well as other basic human rights, is being targeted more and more.  Yet, society seldom allows you to demand for yourself, what you refuse to offer to others around you.

   While free expression has been an issue that has had its share of detractors, it is actually something far deeper at stake here than merely our right to “publicly” express what we want.

   What is REALLY being threatened is our CHOICE to disagree with someone, or an ideology, and for that be okay for all parties concerned

   There are over 7 billion people on this planet.  Everyone is not going to like you (yes, it’s true), nor is everyone going to agree with you, or support what you support, respect what you respect, protect what you protect, value what you value, love what you love, or believe what you believe.

   So. Be. It.

   No matter how kind, helpful, considerate, or even “politically correct” you are, you will - guaranteed - end up offending someone in this world.

   That is because we all perceive and experience this world differently.  Not even members of a family living under the same roof, experience life in the exact same manner.  What you see through your eyes, isn’t necessarily what I see through my eyes.

   If you set out to destroy those who disagree with you, pretty soon you will find yourself all alone as everyone you encounter will disagree with you over something at some point.  Guaranteed!

  So, support what you support, respect what you respect, protect what you protect, value what you value, love what you love, and believe what you believe.  If the person in front of you doesn’t agree…

   Let. It. Go.  Continue on your journey and leave them to their journey.

   If we ALL agree on EVERYTHING, we will never learn ANYTHING new.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vAzC1ypw9vQxnHPHwsMDBrfxZ-xCOVJr/view?usp=sharing

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