Do you have any friends that you disagree with?
Our society has these 'big' things that are glibly slid under the rug as things you just don't talk about in public. Religion, politics, and if you are on a college campus almost anything.
This idea that you can't talk about these things only pushes this idea that we are a bunch of weaklings. It's has been manifesting itself in the under 30 crowd as well as the generally entitled entertainment industry as people who are dainty. They throw their opinions and thoughts out in the social media world without having any real dialogue about anything. Look at the comment sections of nearly anything online. It will be a bunch of people that agree, and one or two people that get on and start an insult war with people they will never actually know. Culturally, we have begun taking on these 'safe spaces' and allowing the general masses to adopt this idea that we are unable to engage in on account of hurting people's feelings.
Again do you have any friends that you disagree with?
I understand it is normal to gather around people you are comfortable with - its basic human nature to want be safe. However, what happens when you never step out of that? You are shocked the first time you meet someone that is different then you. Someone that actually believes weed is less toxic then alcohol, or you should be allowed to marry anyone, or that abortion is murder, or that someone actually voted for Donald Trump.
Even that last sentence may have riled you up, and I understand the emotions of peoples experiences that fuel their opinions. But guess what - about half the people you see at the grocery store half a different opinion on these above topics (at least in America)...
When you can be friends with people and talk about poignant things, it enables you to do two things -
Learn from perspectives that are different then you...in an actual safe space called relationship. The most impactful people in anyones lives are the people that they are closest too. When you have a relationship that is built on genuine care for each other you are enabled to learn from people that have a different thought from you. This allows you to actually enforce you convictions because you understand the other side, or evolve your convictions if you understand holes in your thoughts!
The second thing is it enables you to leverage influence. If you are right on a certain topic, you want to tell people about it because you care about it. Getting out with a sign and yelling is going to enable real conversation about 0% of the time. Whereas dialoging inside of the context of relationship will allow a real connection with another human being that will enable real change.
Again, do you have relationship with people you disagree with? If not your living in a bubble built on social media that will result in a generally passive life. Powerful people, people of influence, people whose lives matter are able to live in healthy relationships with people they disagree with to bring about real change in themselves and those around them.
Live Big Today and Choose Greatness
