So a few days ago my wife and I were having a discussion and she called me closed-minded. Now this wasn't a heated discussion or even one of any importance, simply talking about current affairs and the such. So it wasn't that I was hurt or insulted so much as I just didn't agree with her assessment. So of course, being who I am I had to try my best to explain myself (to no avail I am sorry to say).
As anyone who knows me well enough or has read this blog could tell you, I am VERY opinionated. Hell, it is largely because of that trait that I started writing this blog. I don't hide it...in fact I embrace, defend and promote it. To me there is nothing wrong with being opinionated, so long as you are well informed about what it is your opinion is. And that my friends is exactly my defense against my wife's labeling me as "close minded". You see, it's not that I do not listen to or accept other people's theories or opinions. I will listen to any one's side of a particular story, but if I don't agree I will tell you I don't agree, and that disagreement is usually based on some fact.
The other facet of my being opinionated, the part that gets my wife and I'm sure others even more frustrated is that I do not always we things in black and white. To me, you can have differing opinions yet still be right, and I can accept that. You see, I don't ALWAYS have to win in a discussion (I just usually do). For instance, we were discussing charity and my wife's argument was that the particular charity was worth while. I agreed with her, but inserted that in addition to the financial part of the charity they should also be giving the people the tools or information so that they or the people following them would not need the charity going forward (this is a theme that I discussed in my previous post Kick Out the Crutch). Well this frustrated her, because I was not accepting her opinion without adding mine as well. But to me that is the way of the world more times than not. Is there always a right answer? No, there isn't...the right answer is usually a composite of several differing opinions or viewpoints.
You see, I may be opinionated to the highest degree, but I am not closed minded. I am open to many ideas and suggestions. To me, people having differing viewpoints and opinions is what makes this world and especially this country so great. It is what has advanced our society and has gotten us to where we are today. If we all thought the same way and went along with the same ideals, how fun would that be? We all have a mind, and we all think differently based on our life experiences. Now that being said, I know that I am right most of the time. That is not being conceited just confident in myself. I take a great amount of pride in being well informed and well rounded. I like to think that I know a little bit about a lot of things. And bottom line is if I get into a discussion about a certain topic, you can be sure that it is something I know quite a bit about and have studied the facts. And to me, that is the key. If you just go into a discussion half-cocked throwing out statements bases solely on emotion you most likely do not know what the hell you are talking about. But someone who has done their research can hold their own, and will be heard and respected.
So yes, I may be harsh and I may be opinionated, and you may not agree with some of the things that I say, but I am very open to ideas and thoughts. It just so happens that I see things for the bigger picture and have thought of all aspects before entering into a debate. I will respectfully take in differing viewpoints, but at the same time reserve the right to correct anything that is incorrect. But at the same time, and this is very important, I do not hold grudges. just because two people do not agree on something does not mean that they can not be friends or work or live together in harmony. The fact that we all have our own minds and our own beliefs and our own opinions is what makes this world so beautiful. But just be prepare yourself for the fact that I am always right...
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I know I am Getting Old
I know that I am getting old because I find myself doing all the things that old people did when I was younger, all the things I never saw myself doing. I suppose it is something everyone goes through, but it never ceases to amaze one when they are the one going through it. The whole "I never thought I would say the things my parents did" is very cliche, but also so very true. I suppose it's just a part of life, a part of growing up. But it is such a scary realization because it means that we are not kids anymore, and that this life of ours is real.
I now find myself listening to talk radio at least fifty percent of the time I am in my car. sure, I will still blast some heavy metal CD's a lot of the time, but I also am finding more and more that I am listening to talk programs (and not only sports-talk, although that consumes part of time as well). i listen to a New Jersey talk radio station that mixes in comedy with real issues. But the thing I find that keeps me so interested is that so many of the issues they talk about each day I can either relate to or they effect my every day life. I now own a home, pay taxes and have a young child, so the things going on around me have a huge impact on my life now. Things such as where my tax money is going and what kind of education my daughter is going to get are huge things in my life now that I am in my 30's. Ten or fifteen years ago I would have though that listening to such a station was for "old people" and boring. Just a sign that I am getting old.
Another thing I never would have thought I would ever find myself doing was complaining about "these kids". It's the old saying "these kids today, we were never like that". Well not only is it a cliche that we all fall into, but the statement is also very true. Music, as an example, has changed through each generation. To a generation of parents the Beatles and Elvis were "noise", and now their music is not only classic but also considered very mild and mellow to most. And now a lot of the music I used to listen to as a teenager is being played on classic rock stations. But to walk through the mall and look around at the kids and teenagers is what really makes me feel old. Commenting on the clothing options, the lack of discipline, these are the same things that our parents' generation said about us. But at the same time, there is a lot of truth to the whole idea of the next generation not getting it.
So yes, the kids today are rude and dress funny and don't pay attention to the things they should. But neither did we when we were their age, and neither did our parents when they were that age, etc. And as much as we like to envision ourselves as always being hip and trendy and knowing what the coolest things are, fact is once we get older we don't. We start acting like and thinking like our parents, and we start being the "old people". But the key is to do it gracefully, to not lose track of our youth. there is nothing wrong with caring about politics or current events, but also be sure to keep up on the social changes. Sure, we might never be fully in tune with the next generation's style or technology, but we also shouldn't dismiss it just because it is different. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that it was us at the mall and someone else was shaking their head at us...
I now find myself listening to talk radio at least fifty percent of the time I am in my car. sure, I will still blast some heavy metal CD's a lot of the time, but I also am finding more and more that I am listening to talk programs (and not only sports-talk, although that consumes part of time as well). i listen to a New Jersey talk radio station that mixes in comedy with real issues. But the thing I find that keeps me so interested is that so many of the issues they talk about each day I can either relate to or they effect my every day life. I now own a home, pay taxes and have a young child, so the things going on around me have a huge impact on my life now. Things such as where my tax money is going and what kind of education my daughter is going to get are huge things in my life now that I am in my 30's. Ten or fifteen years ago I would have though that listening to such a station was for "old people" and boring. Just a sign that I am getting old.
Another thing I never would have thought I would ever find myself doing was complaining about "these kids". It's the old saying "these kids today, we were never like that". Well not only is it a cliche that we all fall into, but the statement is also very true. Music, as an example, has changed through each generation. To a generation of parents the Beatles and Elvis were "noise", and now their music is not only classic but also considered very mild and mellow to most. And now a lot of the music I used to listen to as a teenager is being played on classic rock stations. But to walk through the mall and look around at the kids and teenagers is what really makes me feel old. Commenting on the clothing options, the lack of discipline, these are the same things that our parents' generation said about us. But at the same time, there is a lot of truth to the whole idea of the next generation not getting it.
So yes, the kids today are rude and dress funny and don't pay attention to the things they should. But neither did we when we were their age, and neither did our parents when they were that age, etc. And as much as we like to envision ourselves as always being hip and trendy and knowing what the coolest things are, fact is once we get older we don't. We start acting like and thinking like our parents, and we start being the "old people". But the key is to do it gracefully, to not lose track of our youth. there is nothing wrong with caring about politics or current events, but also be sure to keep up on the social changes. Sure, we might never be fully in tune with the next generation's style or technology, but we also shouldn't dismiss it just because it is different. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that it was us at the mall and someone else was shaking their head at us...
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