Trying On Others' Shoes, Regardless of Their Size

People don't understand the ideas and concepts that motivate certain behaviors. As a result, they brand these behaviors as outlandish, peculiar, or in some cases inappropriate and even illegal. Sometimes factions involved in the debate may even succeed at influencing the state to utilize its power in their favor. A significant example of this is the alcohol prohibition in the United States in the 20s and 30s.

It can be understood that certain behaviors are universally seen as inherently bad, such as committing senseless murder. Yet, we can see that many other actions exist within a grey area that some people consider taboo and others consider acceptable and even commonplace.

In California, it is now legal to grow and smoke cannabis in the privacy of your home.
Yet my family members in rural Mexico, only a 14 hour drive away, heavily associate marijuana with violence, death, kidnappings, and guns.
Most people consider cannibalism to be taboo and absolutely immoral. Yet some people do it out of respect.

It is always valuable to consider other peoples' perspectives, especially when their perspectives and beliefs are contrary to your own. If you consider their line of thinking and find holes in your own position, you may end up researching more and having an even stronger base of knowledge on the topic.

Get Your Brain Off the Tracks, Look For Answers in New Patches of Sky

Maybe you'll hold your stance till the bitter end, or perhaps you might end up changing your position on the entire thing. This doesn't mean you just blindly followed what people told you; it means that you are becoming more informed. In the process of becoming informed you should readjust your stances and positions on certain subjects according to the information you receive that you deem reliable and significant, even if it means changing your argument completely. There is no harm or shame in becoming smarter. Some people willingly get spoon-fed news from moneygrubbing, centralized propaganda outlets, reject external sources of information, and ultimately do not impose their own judgement upon the information they are receiving. I think this is very dangerous behavior, and is one of the causes of the mass confusion and ignorance that has befallen the citizenry of many nations. An uninformed, inactive and distracted citizenry results in a loss of liberties.
Everyone should try to break out of the mold from time to time. Listening to opinions that don't simply reinforce your own can make you a better balanced and capable member of society. Critical thinking is a skill that must be exercised and practiced often.

Be careful where you get your information from. I wish all of you beautiful Steemians the very best of fortune. Have a purposeful and enlightening day!

I love you all! Here is a picture I took one morning before going on one of my favorite hikes. Looking at this images fills me with energy and motivation, it puts me in the perspective I was in when I was on my way to conquer the challenge the day held for me. I hope it represents something like a new day, a new beginning for us all. Praise the sun! and be sure to Steem on!