I have been thinking that maybe people really need a board like the "Freeboard Forum" which just closed.... I find that I haven't the time to keep up and blog, and although I always think I would like to write this or that, the reality is that I don't have that much to say, unless it is responding to someone else's comments.
I believe few people understand "freedom". They limit themselves to political definitions learned in grammar school. In our country, we also confuse "freedom" with "patriotism".
Many people think they are free, when in fact they remain bound by convention, fear and expectations. True dialogue,is mutually respectful, and rare. Dialogue requires that we listen to other's points of view, and consider the ideas and perspective. While listening, we are not busy composing our response. That comes after. We all tend to make assumptions, jump to conclusions and make uneducated judgments about each other. When a comment is made which could be considered radical or dangerous, (by some) our response is often to postulate and protect the image we want to project.
I think the freeboard reached a point at which some people, who had not experienced open dialogue began to express their real opinions in a forum which had a range of perspectives. It is easy to discuss ideas with people in agreement with you; but expressing dissenting opinions may make some feel vulnerable to some form of retribution or kharmic payback. Maybe a few were uncomfortable with the harshness and reality of their words - maybe when they read their own posts, their own unpleasantness frightens them and they resort to attack rather than standing for what they believe.
I say if you have the mindset of Carl Rove, then stand up and be who you are. He does not apologize.
Maybe it is a developmental thing. After years of being one persona in public, and another in the privacy of their own alone "space" (wherever that might be). Showing our true colors in public is somewhat like putting our face in the water the first time before we learn to swim!
Some take naturally to the water, and some recoil from it, and may never go any further. Those that do, can float, experiencing weightlessness in the water - taking in the sun and watching the clouds go by - free of their burdensome weight. Experiencing freedom of thought is empowering and nurturing. We absorb the elements of air, water and sunshine while we swim in water, and we can learn and absorb ideas, knowledge, and wisdom from clear thought shared in dialogue. Freedom is like that.
We can be different from each other. We can disagree. We can grow in our natural directions. What is right for me is no more or less ok than what is right for you.
And when people act out and attack others for their ideas and positions, it is back on them - they hurt themselves. I believe this.... Reality is in our perceptions and dreams and our interactions with one another, our world and our maker.
I say to all who have different opinions from me - I will try to listen, at least once to your arguments - and only ask that you listen to mine.
Thanks Mary Lu!
1 comment:
It was a great experimnet, wasn't it? Life is change and change is death to one thing and birth to another.
I'm stepping into blogging slowly. I have a sense that it is much much bigger in potential than I've experienced. And it will continue to expand. We haven't really made the connections yet, but we will. I have a feeling there are many more "free-thinkers" out there, just a link away.
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