The Other Side

 I have a friend who is excellent at conversation. He handles people with a level of excellence and grace that age alone cannot provide. No judgement, no prejudice, no argument just apparent objectivity. I have come to the conclusion that understanding, actual listening and less reacting may be all he does. 

People often find themselves endeared to such kinds of persons without reason, because they're saying the right things, doing the right things, relating with you like they've known you all your life when all they have done is converse. Conversations go beyond listening to people to reply. It is looking to be involved, learn and process what you've heard. Then it reflects our attitude towards people. And, If age were a basis for measuring orientation and ultimately character, I would probably smack some elderly folks on the side for being insensitive during a conversation. Oh well, the elderly are never wrong? Such a beautiful craft of garbage. 

The psychology of friendship, in my opinion, is finding a common ground. “This person likes soap operas, pancakes, yada yada yada. Similar traits? yes.We'd make a great team and, on y VA!”. But I've come to realize that it is just bias, people who share hobbies with you don't share your opinions at all times.

With this bias, we go on with the expectations of people liking what we like, wanting what we want, having the opinions we have until we reach a state in our minds where it becomes a belief. What happens then is simple really, we are the woke ones, the sane ones, the right ones. And the other side that does not share our beliefs? Those are the weird ones.

This state of our subconscious has eaten deeply into our social living. Such that opinions are blind-sided, one-sided thus washing down, trampling upon and tossing opposing thoughts into the bin. Because the other side don't just conform to our set of beliefs, they aren't so smart.

When someone's reaction to an event isn't on our side, our response should not be dismal or expression of shock at how unwoke they are. We should at least reason with people, ask questions and see how we will learn. Genuine intellectual curiosity will expand our knowledge on various topics and cut down on the relationships that have gone sour as a result of opinionated expressions. When we share our views, we should bear in mind that the other guy may have broader realities and experiences than we've had. So, silence sometimes maybe all we need. Like that friend of mine, we will find ourselves relating to people with such ease and comfort.

 The other side is a side of human beings, with feelings, empathy and reasoning - just like you. If we don't agree with the other hand, we should avoid dismissing opinions without listening first and stop comparing people with people. Remember, regardless of how we do, to compare is to disrespect the uniqueness.

Stay On!