Here's to Thinking!: My First Diatribe

I heard something today that really spoke to me.  Admittedly, it came from a reasonably random movie, Sucker Punch, but still, a statement worth thinking about.   “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” 

The way I look at it, most people do not really know what they believe.  They listen to TV pundits, they read op-ed pieces, and only listen to what FEELS good.  We don’t want to think about what we hear, or what is going on.  We want to feel good.  Honestly, there is nothing wrong with feeling good.  But when it takes the place of critical thinking, when it takes the place of knowing what is right, feeling good is not an acceptable substitute for being aware.

Sadly, being aware is often uncomfortable.  I will not lie; I often fall into this trap too.  I hear a persuasive argument that justifies my world-view, and I jump to accept it.  I WANT to accept it, because it offers an easy answer to what I want to believe.  But then, I think about it, and suddenly, there are a million inconsistencies in the argument.

I am not saying that I know it all.  No one does.  But I do think that people in general are naturally inclined to take the easy answer, especially when we don’t have to come up with it ourselves.  Regardless of whether you follow Fox or MSNBC, or CNN, take a moment, and think about the information that is provided. Remember, even our “impartial” news has an agenda. So stop, take a minute (well, 15) and look at other information and views.  Go beyond the mainstream and get a wider perspective.  Talk to people who think differently.  Truly, talk to them, and find out why they think as they do.  Do not turn it into a debate.  Approach these discussions with an open mind, and try and figure out WHY they think as they do.

Finally, to return to my original statement, know what you believe.  Spend some time to really ponder those beliefs critically.  We are trained to be superficial.  Don’t feel bad, but it is true, from our childhoods on it is an unavoidable fact of life for virtually everyone.  Please give some time to meditating on not only WHAT you believe, by why.  This is not an easy or quick process, but it really, truly, honestly is worth your time.  Indeed, if we value our freedom, we must spend time thinking in such an uncomfortable manner.  What do we value?  What is important?  I do not presume to speak for you, or anyone.  But without a truly thoughtful understanding of where we come from, we come from nowhere…think on it friends.