DDT (12)
Member
Posts: 4113
Sometimes ya just gotta go...
Winter Springs, FL - Occasionally...
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« on: August 05, 2020, 12:39:11 PM » |
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People are amazing, aren’t we? No two ways about it, we simply confound ourselves to no end, and new ways to perplex ourselves about ourselves pop-up with each new day… often even much more frequently than simply daily! Watching the so-called ‘news’ is one way, I’ve found, to maximize the dismay possible to experience! After watching only a few minutes of the latest 'revelations', I feel like I want to give up on our entire species, cash-in my own chips, and just call it quits… “Just say no!” comes immediately to mind in such cases…
So, I just say “No!” and continue to channel-surf. Harder to stay informed, obviously, when we self-impose a near ‘news' blackout of sorts, but… I have learned to limit, that is, to deliberately ration information from those sincere, informed, chosen ones; to allow-in just enough to keep me aware of issues and threats to our republic, to myself personally, and to the good of mankind. I scrupulously eschew the ‘details’ offered to me through editorializing and opinion based solely upon political bias and to the overt attempts of others to mold my own thinking… to persuade and/or convince me of the ‘proper’ interpretation of facts and the ‘correct’ thoughts to have.
I have discovered an antidote of sorts to the melancholy the ‘news’ produces, however… balance. I just go out yonder and wander around… and, I randomly meet folks in-person. Funny, out from behind the shield of a computer screen and away from the propagandizing influences of ‘the so-called news’, I’ve found that people are actually rather suitable for association! We’re all pretty much alike after all, with essentially the same desires, needs, and predilections…
Interestingly, we also pretty much get in return whatever we give…When we are respectful, courteous, friendly, and thoughtful, people will generally treat us the same. Of course, the opposite is also true. Funny how all of that works… A friendly salutation, often merely a pleasant smile, is enough to get the same in return. Conversations are usually easy, too, when we treat others as we would want to be treated. Non-threatening behaviors or gestures go a very long way, and not appearing to be seeking something from others will more often than not break the ice in short order… and that’s a good thing.
Traveling with others has many obvious advantages. Traveling alone also has some not-so-well-known advantages, as well. When on an accompanied trek, we spend nearly all of our interaction time with our companions. That strengthens the bonds of friendship and is good in many other ways, but it does tend to restrict our access to ‘new’ thoughts and perspectives over time. Not exactly like being in an echo-chamber, but we do over time find much and increasing repetition and familiarity.
When unaccompanied, on the other hand, all of our interactions are with strangers. Plus, the wider our roaming range when alone, the more diverse the folks with whom we come into contact. The more diverse the folks, the broader the range of views, perspectives, life's experiences, opinions, and attitudes… and the greater the opportunity to consider points from different angles... to 'see' things through a different set of eyes. Provided, of course, we are coming to the interaction as a ‘pilgrim’ and not as a ‘missionary’. Do we seek enlightenment, or do we seek to convince and convert? Are we really listening, or are we lecturing?
When our primary sources of information are essentially the same, we usually get reinforcement of what we already believe with increasing disbelief and disregard for variations and alternatives. We also can find ourselves becoming suspicious of the motivations of those seeing things differently... Those with whom we agree begin to look even more 'noble, right, and pure' to us, while those on the other side look more and more petty, ignorant, greedy and/or self-serving.
When our primary sources of input are constantly varying and hugely diverse, we come to consider those variations and unfamiliar perspectives with less bias of our own and more open-mindedness. Over a twenty-year span of time, do we gain twenty years of experience? Or, do we tend more to get one year’s experience twenty times?
Discovering things for ourselves and forming our own opinions based upon actual personal experience and observations rather than relying upon highly biased ‘intellectuals’ is by far the best way I’ve found for developing a clearer picture of mankind and reality generally… and, to restoring my faith in us. It certainly isn’t guaranteed or fool-proof, but then again, neither is relying upon someone else with an agenda other than simply informing the public with accuracy and precision…
So, it isn’t simply that I can’t find anyone to travel with me, or that I’m ‘settling’ for solitude in being out here doing what I’m doing. Nope, I’m actually in my preferred state… I do travel with others some, and I do find that most enjoyable. I also like it in measured doses, however, and I do find solo travel to be the more satisfying: Mostly because I want that constant interaction with strangers and the varied perspectives more available through that means.
I’m on a learning mission more than a pleasure cruise or sightseeing excursion, after all, so sources and types of inputs are key… Maybe this journey of mine truly is a ‘Vision Quest’… Thanks, Rob, for pointing that out!
DDT
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