It’s Cool

You may have people on your friends list, or in real life that have a difference of opinion than you. You have probably even unfriended some of them. I prefer to take a different route. While I have some who say and do the dumbest things {to me}, it is very rare that I would unfriend you. Why? Because I would rather try and understand, than assume. You want to change someone with a different opinion than yours? Good luck changing them by unfriending them.

I know this is a crazy time for many, and there is definitely a divide. Short of you putting your hands on my wife, or attacking a defenseless person, I’m cool. I might not be cool with it, but I’m cool none the less. What does that mean? It means two things. First, I try to understand. Try and find some common ground. I’m not always right. I’m open to taking the journey with you. Secondly, I don’t fight in every war that I am invited to. Every great warrior will tell you that going to war, is a last resort. And while some have walked away from me because of this, guess what? It’s still cool.

Unfriending someone should not be your first move. Trying to understand them should be. We are so quick to delete, block, unfriend and walk away from people. Maybe…{and I’m just talking out loud} we should try and have a dialog with the intent to listen, and not just to try and change their opinion. As a man in my mid 50’s, looking back at my younger self, I see that many people allowed me to develop at my own pace. And there is no greater gift than that. It reminds me of a Bible thumper telling you that you’re going to Hell, or Jehovah Witnesses showing up at your door trying to convert you. {Just an example. Not attacking either religion.} How often does that scenario work out? Probably not too often.

Diversity is divine. Let us stop boxing ourselves in because of our differences. It’s okay to talk about the things that makes us uncomfortable. It’s okay to vehemently disagree. And it’s okay to delete, block, unfriend and walk away. But talk first. Don’t just ghost. That is why I believe there is such a great divide. We opt for easy, as if we really aren’t secure in our own beliefs. So talk about it. And if they walk away, it’s cool.