It appears that when confronted with opinions that are foreign to our ears that we react defensively. It may be a form of protection built into our physiology. The fact of the matter is that we enjoy things that are familiar. From types of food to philosophical ideas we fear the strange and unknown. Even when history can show us that ideas are not completely unknown to the human race we still yet cringe in fear. Something happens in us that can go unnoticed. In our leadership journey it is crucial that we gain full control over our own mind and over our own emotions. Defensiveness against the unusual is one such attack in which we should find it important to master.
Why are we so scared of the unknown anyway? An interesting article attempting to postulate the reasons can be read here. At a minimum it is imperative that we recognize the real inner workings of our own unconscious self. If we plan to control our own self then we must be on the look out for moments in which we are most vulnerable. Being presented with foreign, unique, and unknown ideas is the perfect cocktail for the self-protective motive to unleash its fury upon our own mind. When this happens we tend to attack ideas in a primitive manner. Discrediting the originator as simply being a nut case or a fool. Slashing the idea with tentacles of fury we rip through feelings and mutual respect without the bat of an eye. The idea is described almost against our own will as ridiculous and absurd. When we act out in this manner we can be sure that we are not in control of our own self.
The apostle James warns us in this regard, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" We must spend time when we are alone and unaltered from external forces determining that we truly seek mutual respect from our peers. Know that inside every single human being is something special and unique. None are crafted with identical thoughts. When we obtain the passion for the individual then we find seeking mutual respect with ease. Instead of spending time beating up one another in the arena of ideas what if we instead spent that time investigating the uniqueness of our thoughts?
We should make all attempts to take the helm over our own instincts. If successful we can take control of our defensive nature against the unique. Imagine what we can discover in life if we seek out all that our companions have to offer. The apostle Peter teaches us that, ”For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Suppose then your own self the protector of the individual. Try to really understand where others stand. There must be a good reason why we choose conclusions. There is something good in their reason along with weaknesses. We should get really interested in learning more about the reasoning process of others. Conceptualize a society in which we all genuinely bring our self and our point of view as closely as we can to one another without undermining our core principles. How much more could we achieve in this way than the present?
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012
Why are we so scared of the unknown anyway? An interesting article attempting to postulate the reasons can be read here. At a minimum it is imperative that we recognize the real inner workings of our own unconscious self. If we plan to control our own self then we must be on the look out for moments in which we are most vulnerable. Being presented with foreign, unique, and unknown ideas is the perfect cocktail for the self-protective motive to unleash its fury upon our own mind. When this happens we tend to attack ideas in a primitive manner. Discrediting the originator as simply being a nut case or a fool. Slashing the idea with tentacles of fury we rip through feelings and mutual respect without the bat of an eye. The idea is described almost against our own will as ridiculous and absurd. When we act out in this manner we can be sure that we are not in control of our own self.
The apostle James warns us in this regard, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" We must spend time when we are alone and unaltered from external forces determining that we truly seek mutual respect from our peers. Know that inside every single human being is something special and unique. None are crafted with identical thoughts. When we obtain the passion for the individual then we find seeking mutual respect with ease. Instead of spending time beating up one another in the arena of ideas what if we instead spent that time investigating the uniqueness of our thoughts?
We should make all attempts to take the helm over our own instincts. If successful we can take control of our defensive nature against the unique. Imagine what we can discover in life if we seek out all that our companions have to offer. The apostle Peter teaches us that, ”For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Suppose then your own self the protector of the individual. Try to really understand where others stand. There must be a good reason why we choose conclusions. There is something good in their reason along with weaknesses. We should get really interested in learning more about the reasoning process of others. Conceptualize a society in which we all genuinely bring our self and our point of view as closely as we can to one another without undermining our core principles. How much more could we achieve in this way than the present?
Copyright © Robert Clinton Chedester 2012