The sun sets on another day…
If you want predictable and preconceived ideas about something, sunset is a good one. As I sat tonight talking to a photographer on the edge of the lake shore he stated something I already live by. As the sun sets you can pretty much tell how it is going to be, and where you need to be to get a good picture. This is one of the things in life you can be sure of, knowing that you can even set a clock by where the sun is, a sunset is inevitable, and you know where and when it will be where it should be.
Today I went to a place and met a person that i had a preconceived notion about. The place turned out to be nothing as I expected. The person was different, but still closer to what I expected. It was telling to me that I had notions about either of these things as I had not experienced either, but as I payed attention I realized a lot of people in life make assumptions and get preconceived notions about people before they even have met them. A lot of people also make assumptions about people they know, because they think their perspective of them is valid, and in fact it may not be.
I find this idea borders on the edge of prejudice, and racism, but I will not go there for purposes of this focus. I expect though that some people if they have ideas similar to that, may want to reevaluate how they see things and learn for themselves first. I can only strongly suggest that we all take a deep breath and instead of thinking we know something, listen until we really do know something. It is irritating for me to think I could have prejudged anything as I try to listen and remove doubt before I take action and I suggest there is an end in sight to preconceived ideas by doing just that. I doubt my opinion is any more important that anyone else and I would like to think that I give everyone the benefit of the doubt when considering opinions before I judge anyone. Isn’t that the way we should do it?
So as the sun sets on another day, listen. If you have not experienced it, don’t have an opinion and definitely don’t share an opinion. If you heard it from someone else, remember that no one really can have the same experience, and experiences were meant to have, not to hide. In the end, give everything a chance until it is time not to give a chance and know you can be wrong, it’s OK. I feel if everyone went on what they knew, and not by preconceived ideas based on incomplete information the world would be a better place. Be part of that, and make the world a better place by sharing what you know, and setting aside what you don’t know. Listen to others, but learn for yourself as well and you might live a happier life, no matter what. no matter what.
Sleep sweet, love life, and laugh often…