For those who know where this monument is, will understand more in relation to what I write and think about. If you know where this monument is and what it represents, you will understand why I sometimes think the way I do.
I write to get people to think. To think outside the box, To think beyond the printed words and to read between the lines. There are always two sided of every story. There will always be two sides to every report. There will always be two sides to every thing you read, hear, and understand. I am hoping that you the reader will be able to read the lines and between the lines and come to your own conclusions.
On my first day of attending Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener Ontario, I was confronted by a senior student who asked me what I believed. I have no idea why he picked me out of the crowd of a hundred or so students on that first day, but he did and I am glad he did.
I couldn't really give him an answer that day. I stumbled for answers to his questions. Finally he said to me: "You will be told a lot of things here. You will be taught a lot of information here. Do not believe anything you hear or read until you have researched it and have made that information your own." I took Dave's advice. From that day on, I learned, read, researched, changed views, asked more questions, and understood both sides of the coin until I made the choice of accepting or not accepting what I have been taught. It is a habit now. I read more than I should sometimes and ask even more to the consternation of many.
Within this frame work also is the understanding that some of my views will have to change, be rethought, and reformed again, but that is learning. We need to be able to answer a question with yet another question. We need to be taught to search deeper for the truth. We also need to understand that the truth is illusive when you're just about to touch it.
I want to make it clear, that each person has the responsibility to take what you have, and go beyond, to be willing to think outside the box. Never be satisfied with what is, but be willing to move forward even if you have to change your understanding. Never be satisfied with the status quo, but move forward to make your life and your part of the world better.
We often become comfortable where we are. If we stay with the crowd all will be fine. Some times the crowd is going in the wrong direction and as the crowd goes over the cliff, it's too late to realize that there was and is an alternative. Be willing to take a risk and go in another direction than the crowd. Sometimes we have to break away from the normal or what is considered to be normal in order to accomplish.
We need to understand and remember that we are the guardians hopes that have been seen before us. We are the history of the family that have gone before us. As members of any society and culture we need to be willing to move beyond and contain more history than geography of ourselves.
I will offend someone, there is no doubt of that. But if you are offended, question why and seek dialogue. This is where we learn, develop and sometimes change. Respect each other, for we are obligated to do so regardless of our religion, sexual orientation, culture, and what we have even been taught. Seek justice and love kindness even when such objects become illusive and slip from our grasp.
Do not be afraid to seek knowledge and understanding, even to the detriment of others and especially politicians. And this has gotten me into a lot of trouble -- trust no one, that way you are never disappointed. This is another box for discussion.
No comments:
Post a Comment