Do you ever find yourself saying, "I can't believe that person...." or "What was that guys thinking? That __________ (fill in with your word of choice) just cut me off!"? Do you ever hear yourself being so frustrated at people? "The nerve of some people," right?
I have to admit, I catch myself giving my two cents about what I think of that person's actions from time to time. But I realized something a few weeks ago while have lunch with a friend of mine that made me think twice about my two cents.
As humans, we are (typically) raised by our parents with a certain moral standpoint. We are raised to realize right from wrong. They tell us what side of the sidewalk to walk on down a two way street, when to speak while adults are having a conversation, and more serious than that, they tell us what religious paths we should follow, what political sides to hang your hat on, even what people fall into different categories of relationships. They are merely speaking from their own morals
their parents told them. This is good, for without our parents telling us these things, we might not know what categories we fall into.
...Or it is?
From these lessons our parents have installed in us, we base our whole lives around who to talk to, who to agree with, and who get involved with. As we age, we get more and more set in our ways, putting your hand up to all those other naysayers out there. We build up barriers and walls to intentionally separate ourselves from the unwanted people of this diverse earth. It is not just you, it's everyone. Everyone putting up impenetrable walls to all kinds of people. To an extent, it makes sense. I mean, you are not necessarily going to go and make friends with an ex-serial killer, are you? To an extent this categorizing technique protects us. To an extent.
What happens when it is just a regular person? He's just walking down the street, minding his own business. No criminal appearance, no immediate red flags- they're safe. Our parents taught us to be nice and make friends, right? So we converse with this seemingly normal stranger. The deeper and deeper we get into the conversation, we start to get a look at how the person thinks. This is when those red flags start popping up. You seem to hit a tough spot when you ask a question and find out that, "oh, they are Christian," or "oh, they are a republican," or "oh, gosh, they are gay!" Those barriers come shooting up. Next thing you know, they are talking more about these red flag triggers and that's when serious judgment starts. "They are actually proud being a republican?" And then it ends up being the topic at the dinner table- "I can't believe this person ___________." No longer a normal stranger off the street. (All of the common categories I just listed were only used as examples.)
You see how quick it is people click from normal guy to righteous republican? Just a few words and judgments are made. We, as people really don't give anyone a chance. Now that the person has an opposing view, we immediately block them out. Like I said, the world is such a diverse place; you can't escape opposition. True, you may not want to be best friends with the guy, but if anything, detour the conversation. It's so easy to block people out, but it is so much more beautiful letting people in.
I guess what I am saying is that we, as humans, immediately jump to conclusions and assume that that type of person is a certain way, or that guy that cut you off is a bad person when if you look at the big picture, they are just being them. Instead of resisting them, just take a step back and remind yourself that I am me, and you are you.
*MMS...
The people in this world are so much better than we give them credit for. You are going to be frustrated sometimes, but whatever that person just did is exactly that- what
that person just did. You may not agree with the action, the person, or the world in general at that moment, but it is not your place to make a quick judgment about them. It
is your place to not agree, but to remind yourself of how you are not them. We are all humans, here. We are all just trying to live our lives the best we were taught. It may be different than yours, but that is why
you are
you.
You are You,
IotaDaily
