Respecting Differences in Opinion

Yesterday it was eerily calm and rather warm; so pleasant in fact that you knew a storm would soon approach, and it did. I woke up early to the sounds of high winds and snow blowing against my window. I couldn't see the house across the street, but the wind was so forceful that I expected shingles to fly from my roof. By mid morning the storm diminished leaving drifts in her wake.

These storms, so chaotic, erratic, and sometimes violent remind me of life and the way people react to events and, unfortunately, different opinions.

Personally speaking, the internet gives me an avenue to express myself in ways that I don't in person. Whereas I can write in welcome solitude about issues that I believe in, when speaking with someone in person I'm actually one who prefers to listen. I am genuinely interested in people but will share little about my own values unless asked, especially when it comes to politics - a volatile topic that can devastate relationships.

Whether online or off, I often attract people with contrary views and it can be burdensome being the recipient of their political rants while rarely countering them. It's not that I'm afraid too; it's that I know where it can go and I'm well aware of how tempers can flare and antagonism is something I don't want to be around. Quite frankly, there's enough animosity in life as it is so why add to it?

I prefer to keep to myself, write from my little soapbox when time permits, and don't feel the need to seek out attention. People are free to read or not read. I will never be the one to go around forcing my opinions on others, which is why I don't understand why they do so to me.

Forcing the issue quite often leads to stress; the worrying over whether my friendship or acquaintance with someone might end if I tire of the burden and feel the need to respond. I'm also concerned with respect, or the lack there of when it comes to how people counter one another.

I believe there is more to life than politics and discussing it incessantly is boring and only leads to offense. If you really care about someone, even if they have different views on life, why ridicule what they believe in? In effect you're mocking them because their beliefs are a fundamental part of who they are.

When I care about someone, the last thing I want to do is insult them, even if I disagree with the precepts of their belief structure. I believe that people in general, and most importantly friends, should allow others the freedom to be themselves, and to be comfortable in their presence; we can't all be the same so appreciate the differences between their ideas and yours.

Being "right" shouldn't be the goal; being considerate to differences in one another should be.