My Way or the Highway!

I interrupt your regularly scheduled entertainment and humor, to bring you this: A Moment of Unloading by Geny.
*Disclaimer. These are MY opinions. Yes, I have them, as do you. If you want me to respect yours? Respect mine. Have something nasty? Keep it to yourself. I can and will delete/block anything I find offensive, arrogant, and ignorant.

Now. Where was I. Oh yes, unloading. I always find that I get particularly annoyed with all Americans around any kind of election, whether it be local or nation-wide. People get all hateful, cruel, judgemental, and closed-minded. All across the board, both liberal and conservative. It's our way or the highway, damn it! I cannot stand that attitude. And here's why:

Americans are spoiled brats. Yes, all of us. We live in a country that was founded on freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Not dogma. This country was created to break free of oppression. Hm. Interesting, considering all Americans want to do these days is oppress people who have different opinions. Why? Because we think that as Americans, we should be able to get our way and never compromise. Ever. Look at Congress. It's constantly a stale-mate. People are so wrapped into their own parties, their own bank account, their own time, and their own experience to acknowledge anyone else's! It's pathetic. Look at churches. One pastor doesn't conduct "my" service the way I want? Kick him out! Pitch a fit! Demand things done MY way! OH MY GOD, JUST STOP IT ALREADY! Seriously!

We see it on facebook too. Someone posts an article and the next thing you know, someone makes a harsh, negative, judgemental comment stating all the horrible things that article had to say and how the writer is an idiot. Well done on the mature response, sir or ma'am. I'm sure speaking that way in front of all that poster's friends and family will make them think like you! Wrong. They will fire back (not advisable IMO), delete the comment, or block you all together. Then you will get angry! Hey, newsflash: If you are going to be rude and obnoxious therefore getting deleted or blocked? Your fault. Think things through next time. Maybe apologize. There's a concept...

Have you ever seen those lists of the world's happiest countries? America is never near the top. Why? Because we make ourselves unhappy. The whole "my way or the highway" attitude sets you up to always be frustrated and angry. Generally, Americans think they are better than everyone else. We are right! Everyone else is wrong! We never sit down and hear people out, because they are different and we couldn't POSSIBLY understand what they are saying! Why that would mean we are wrong! GASP! And we are NEVER wrong. What a sad way to live life. Some of my favorite experiences in life have been in situations, places, or with people who live life totally and completely different from me.

Here's the thing: By living in America we have the FREEDOM to think differently. We have the OPPORTUNITIES to learn and experience life in ways so many others do not. We can go to church if we want, go to the Temple if we want, go to a Mosque if we want. We can vote for someone who is very conservative if we want. We can vote for someone who is very liberal if we want. We can decide we don't like any candidates and NOT vote if we want. I can believe in God if I want. I can get mad and question God if I want. I can purchase a statue of Buddha and create a meditation room if I want. I can sell everything I own, move to NYC, and sleep on an air mattress for a year trying to find a job if I want. I can live in a big city that gets snow, live in a big city that is always warm, move to a ranch in Montana, live in the desert or mountains, or move to a beach if I want. Holy canoli people, how are we all so unhappy? Oh yes, it goes back to being spoiled with the mindset of "my way or the highway".

I am so incredibly grateful for the freedom to think the way I want. I am grateful for the freedom to engage in meaningful and civilized conversation with the many who think differently than I. I am grateful for the freedom facebook gives me to read all your thoughts and opinions. I am grateful for that "hide" button when I see hateful, hurtful, and offensive things posted. But most of all, I am grateful for the perspective I've gained from being in different countries, different areas of the US and surrounded by people who think and live very differently than I. They have changed me in some ways, made me more grounded in others, but overall have made me a more open and accepting person. I still have a long way to go, but I'm just glad I have the freedom to do that.