It's so interesting the take people have on everything. So many varied impressions from the "sara wall" of yesterday. There was quasi-judgement like we were so over the top with our dog that we would decorate our house with her likeness. (It reminds me of a friend of mine who has an extremely rich father and when I visited their house for the first time, I couldn't help but think they were freaks because in every room was a giant, and I do mean giant, blown up photograph of he and his wife. One of them was right over the bed in their bedroom and I thought it was so creepy that I passed judgement secretly thinking, "Narcisstic much?") Still others felt that we should definitely fashion the wall as it looked in the pic yesterday. Interesting. It was also yesterday that I thought it strange that David would have such a negative reaction to the idea of sitting home watching TV. That sounds like a marvelous stress free evening to me! It turns out we had very different childhoods. He was constantly in front of the TV as a child and I was forbidden to watch TV. Hmmm. We certainly do rebel somewhat against our upbringing. Current mothers might want to take note of this.
It really made me grateful though, this marvelous spectrum of opinions is what makes the world so interesting and engaging. If we all thought the same way, which I suppose is the intent of some cults (I wanted to say religion, but that might offend) then the world would be a drab and dreary place indeed. I imagine North Korea is rather drab this way. (Wow, I'm flying with the judgements today. So unlike me......to reveal it.) Varied opinions on things don't HAVE TO translate into conflict, though I'll admit it often does. Just something to ponder upon today. There is no war if everyone has the same opinion on everything, but perhaps a world with no war is not worth the cost. Agree or disagree?
21 comments:
The wall - the only thing about it (and I like it) is when Sara goes, you'll have to look at this huge picture of her and it might be painful.
War, opinions, cost. Too many deep thoughts so early in the morning!
I agree that having different opinions doesn't have to lead to conflict. I believe all human conflict on any scale comes down to a desire to control: "I want it MY way." For many, control is a way of dealing with fear; lack of control can be frightening. The degree to which we must control can affect our ability to experience joy. I think contentment comes when we let go of control and accept what is. That doesn't translate into everyone having the same opinion, just acceptance of the differences. Now, THAT would be a wonderful world.
Wow. This just came pouring out, even before caffeine. I'm looking forward to seeing what others say. Great topic, Torn.
War is never the right choice. Should we kill a hundred to save a thousand? Then kill a thousand to save a hundred thousand? To accept each others differences and live and let live would make for a great civilization. We must remember that when one person loses their rights it is a loss for everybody. Ed
"So unlike me....... to reveal it."
that's priceless, and now a word from mastercard!!
coffeedog is right. not that you're about to do that on your wall, but if you were...
years ago i painted a vase with cartoon likenesses of our three cats just for fun. only one of those three cats is still alive 'cause he was young and spry at the time of painting. Sometimes when I pull it out I get a twinge of sorrow. Not enough to ditch the vase, but if it was something i saw all the time I might have to ditch it. As it is I just get to have quick little happy remembrances, and when the sad stuff starts I just clear away from it. Bit more difficult if it's your bedroom wall... ;)
btw - i know i've been derelict in the scrabble department, i'll make my move tonight, i promise. ;)
I have never understood war. I have never understood why so many of us try to enforce our opinions and our ways on others. ...and yet, in my primal depths, I sometimes react in similar ways.
I can only think we are so very afraid. By opening ourselves to others' ways and others' ideas the fragile framework and foundation on which we have built our world will come crashing down.
Interesting that you mention North Korea. On the evening news last night there was a report of a US orchestra playing in North Korea just recently. The reaction from the audience at the end of the concert was overwhelming, with North Koreans cheering, waving, showing great emotion. Not a very drab or boring place afterall.
Wow, from Sara to TV to existential ponderings regarding the value of difference. Too early for me take that on right now.
I loved the sara wall, but didn't comment about yesterday. It was the bedspread I had a problem with, but that besides the point. Serge did nice photoshop work with it.
And very interesting thoughts to ponder today indeed. I'm not sure that war is so much the result of differing opinions as it is the absolute refusal to listen to someone else's. That your opinion and yours alone is the right one. One thing I've learned in life is that there is ALWAYS more than one to took look at things. I wish more people were open to that.
Im not philosophical enough to answer the war/no war question. And frankly, however you guys decorate you own home is fine with me, who am i to judge?
I'm just wondering how Sara's doing? Hope she's still getting around okay.
HUGS...
I think birdoparadise expressed it perfectly ... and before coffee, too! I can't improve on what she said, so I won't even try.
Hmmm ... this father is taking note. If your theory is true, I'm probably raising two Oscar Madisons who will spend all their free time playing video games.
I like the wall idea, but it would be painful later, when Sara leaves you two.
Differences is what makes life interesting. It's just too bad that some people take their opposition to anything different from them to an extreme.
While some wars are about opinions, it seems like a lot more wars are about ownership of property or resources (ideology is just the thin veneer that justifies territorial acquisition). I suppose it could be a matter of opinion about who owned those resources...
That was an interesting stream-of-consiouness type post.
Differeing opinions.... that's a hard one cause some people seem to want to cram their opinions down your throat. It's their way or you're a complete idiot. I can do without that but I do appreciate other points of view.
I believe it takes time to acquire the skill of having a different opinion without being judgemental. As you noted, most often people become judgemental of others with different opinions.
I continue to work on being open to opinions that differ from mine without becoming judgemental of them.
Mark :-)
Oh, I'll take the odds and opt for a world without war. Just for kicks. And you can put Sara up anywhere you want. Who cares.
I thought it was pretty clear that the wall was photoshopped. I mean, you made that clear...so I had no opinion. Not that you cared.
Hearing all those other opinions just reinforces how right I am, and how wrong everyone else is.
;)
A good friend of mine says that the only reason different opinions lead to conflict is that we think that we are our opinions, thus if someone disagrees with our opinion, they are somehow negating us. I don't necessarily fully agree (and I am not unaware of the irony of this phrasing), but I do think that our need for validation plays a large part in this sort of conflict.
The problem is that most people want to be acknowledged as being right. So long as nobody is harmed as a result, as far as I'm concerned people can think what they like -after all, it's enough for me to know in my heart of hearts that I'm right:))
How about a compromise of opinions? Like, do something bold and interesting on the wall, but not Sara. I like the concept but not that particular execution (i.e. the dog) in that context. But I'm not willing to go to war about it. Especially since it is YOUR bedroom wall, not mine. You can do anything you want in/with your bedroom as long as it doesn't directly harm anyone else.
How many topics did I hit with that paragraph?
Can we talk about poop again because this is too much braining for me.
*Snort*
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