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Dafremen
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From elevenation.tk:
I also believe that discussing our differences is important to resolving them. HOWEVER, I know that in order for that process to work effectively, it is important that all parties involved be MOTIVATED to resolve their differences.
What possible reason does any stranger have to even LISTEN to my opinions, let alone consider them? Because they want change in the best interests of all?!
At first glance, we may each believe that we are pursuing another's best interest by promoting our individual beliefs, but rarely does it occur to us to consider another's beliefs as part of that process. Even worse, when we DO consider their perspective, which is easier for us? To modify our own opinions to take into consideration those things that THEY considered when forming that different opinion, or to devise a strategy for attacking the flaws in their different opinion?
That usually depends upon what the PERSON means to us. If they are a stranger, with whom we have no connection, it is a simple matter to shut our minds, our ears and our hearts to their "rhetoric" and continue to plan the defense of our own. It has then become a battle of egos and intellect, which some of us are much better armed for than others. It becomes a contest to see whose will be the ALPHA opinion, and whose the BETA opinion.
The idea behind this forum is simple:
Let's start the process by discussing what we believe, talking about who we are and what we would like to see. Then, let's focus on our common ideas for awhile. Let's learn that we are not only individuals, but part of a large, common organism known as the human race. I'm not talking about the obvious acceptance of that as fact, I'm talking about embracing that as something heartfelt..near and dear to us, much in the way that we embrace the notion of Mom, Dad, Brothers and Sisters as family.
And why shouldn't we? I came from the Earth a carrot, potato and glass of milk at a time...how about you? I'll be headed back there according to everyone down at my local cemetary. We came from the same place and will return there.
We are KIN, yet we are raised from birth to see each other as strangers..outsiders to one another. Hey, we already KNOW that we are individuals with different opinions and different perspectives. What is it that we hope to prove by arguing and emphasizing our differences? That we are individuals with different opinions and different perspectives? Or that one of us is right and the other is wrong...regardless of whether or not that resolves anything? We either have accomplished nothing, or we have won the battle at the cost of the war.
Before we can achieve resolution of our differences, or at least reach a point where we can accept each other regardless of our differences, we should probably learn to accept each other..PERIOD. Why do we need laws to enforce tolerance?
If we just spent HALF as much time emphasizing the similarites between HIGHLY divergent people and ideas, perhaps a common ground could be established that might serve as a base camp from which to launch a TRUE sense of unity, backed by bonds of understanding, and a desire to cooperate with one another. You are my BROTHER(SISTER?), whether you like it or not. We simply have no choice in the matter. Fate has pulled us up from the ground like contestants in the Lucky Lotto. We are ALIVE! We should be CELEBRATING! We didn't come out as TREES or ANTS this time...we are HUMAN! We should all be dancing in the friggin streets, but we don't. We fight and bicker and squabble and moan. We shoot each other, rob each other and act like complete jackasses toward one another until the chance to dance is over and its back into the ground again.
We are brothers(and sister?) you and I..we need to first learn to recognize that fact. Tell me about yourself. Tell me about your ideas. I will listen and I won't judge your ideas. I won't critique your dreams. I will get to know you. That is why I am STILL waiting for ONE person besides myself to add to the posts entitled:
Common Themes
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What would YOU like elevenation to be?
Let's start this process. The sooner we get to finding our common ground, the sooner we can get on to resolving our differences. Right now, let's discover, embrace and celebrate what we have in common.
That's the idea anyhow. Then discussions of our differences might actually have a shot at being more productive than destructive.
11:11 = Unity, Cooperation, Brother/Sistahood and LOVE
1+1+1+1 = 4 / 1x1x1x1 = 1 Ones for all, All for one.
Daf
P.S. Blatherskites, that's the idea...come help. You're all welcome. Just keep the egos at home and bring da love. This thing won't work without you.
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