The Trouble With People

Brooky

When I grew up in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s, one of the loose “Golden Rules” was that people shouldn’t talk about either one of two subjects: Politics and/or Religion …

The societal wisdom was that by avoiding these often contentious subjects, we could expect a greater harmony in our interactions with each other, and therefore a more peaceful Society at large.

These days, however, we seem to have done a complete 180 degree turn, wherein folks are openly categorised by almost everything you can imagine: Their Religion (which Variant, or even which sect within a given Religion!), their Politics (Left, Right, Independent, etc!), their Gender (I won’t even go there!), their sexual preferences, and on and on…

Naturally, this has meant an increase in the polarisation of people (i.e. You’re either with us, or against us!), and if you don’t openly profess an allegiance to a given cause, then YOU become the designated enemy:

A PERFECT recipe for conflict, if ever there was one.

However, Human Civilisation has ALWAYS had to deal with differences (both of opinion, and of natural, innate dispositions); it is a part of the human condition.

And the best of us understand that it is the acceptance of these differences - as well as our ability to work together IN SPITE OF THEM - that will inevitably lead to the harmony, peace and security that we all crave.

We all have two ears, yet only one mouth:

So listen twice as much, as you speak; and you may find that you have more in common with your designated “opponent” than you think.