Birds of a feather shouldn’t always flock together

America is the land of the free. This privilege of freedom allows us to express our thoughts without holding back. We all have a right to form opinions, and usually we aren’t afraid to share them.

Forums, debates, and even informal discussions can help us develop our opinions in a way that is invigorating. We unite in thoughts and ideas, as well as divide by them.

So often we place ourselves and others into groups with shared values or ideas, which help characterize ourselves and others. This can be helpful to convey our opinions and standards, as well as to help ‘birds of a feather flock together’.

There are several categories which we can belong to. You might find yourself being a joiner, or the type that rallies with people just like you. Could it be that you like your own feathers best? Maybe you fail to look outside your comfort zone. I venture to say, how closed-minded of you.

I’m not very good at placing myself under labels. Others might find it less difficult to clearly judge my position or my ideals, but I think of that as premature. I like to avoid the development of pre-conceived notions that people may form about me by not volunteering more information than necessary.

On the same note, I am not ashamed of my beliefs and ideas. In today’s world it’s hard to inspire thought if everything is on the table.

Those who have seen my desk would know that I indeed own books of both Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck. Are you judging yet? I neither accept everything they say nor choose one as my political hero. My personal belief is that I cannot possibly form an educated or worthy opinion on anything without having first researched and informed myself fully. Once I’m done with those authors, I will look for something to read on the opposite end of the spectrum.

I value any type of information or opinion which will fuel my previous moral obligations or challenge a belief not well founded.

Picking sides can sometimes do the exact opposite of what we would like. While remaining in your comfort zone you inspire just that, your previous comfort. When has change and transformation been inspired by comfort? We all would like to change society in our own unique ways. Maintaining our comfort zone will not magically give us that power of change which we crave. Instead, picking a side or team can become a credibility war where we stand behind our favorite politicians and hope they represent us well.

Let’s admit, our political heroes do have the potential to make mistakes. We like to give credit to the people around us for those mistakes. It’s just ammo for the arsenal right? Well it’s likely just an arms race, because I’m not sure where the actual war is.

As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Our nation’s issues cannot possibly be attributed to one president. I’m not saying President Bush’s eight year time frame isn’t enough time to make mistake, nor that President Obama’s shorter term thus far is completely clean by comparison. If I hold strong by every Republican that comes by, how much of an inspiration will I become?

This is my challenge – that through empathy, advanced thought, or the everyday application of the B.S. you’re bound to hear, I believe anyone can achieve a greater understanding of one another, and of the political and moral objections at hand. As one of my favorite thinkers Jack Handey says, “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes . . .” I leave the remainder of the quote untold for now.

The above quote can have many meanings, but this is the one I hope you take from it. Not only does listening to the thoughts of others help us become nicer people, but it helps us as more informed thinkers. Life gains a different dimension when you know what others are thinking. Sometimes the view is better from the wall, if you so choose to be a fly. I don’t suggest that we abandon our own thoughts and standards, rather that we open our developing minds to the ideas of another being. Allow another to be heard and absorb what they say, and for once do as your parents said and just listen.

Now for the final portion of the quote by Jack Handey, “. . . that way when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.”

I beg to differ. I suggest you reach for a friend of a finer-feather. That way, you challenge the flight pattern and push through the hard winter wind. You have shared reason, intelligence, objections, history, culture, and maybe even stupidity.

To put it best, you are a better person for having shared and cultivated ideas with them.