Make a choice

Today, I have chosen to share random thoughts with you my dear readers and friends.  My “intemperate” and “politically incorrect” views might offend some.  Reader discretion is advised.

All of us aspire to lead healthy, work-life balanced lives.  Gyms, walking, cycling, yoga, meditation and “quality time” spent with family and friends.  Great conversation starters all, and for those of us more advanced in years, may be supplemented by talk of “supplements” to address health related issues.  When gathered together, friendly conversation flows smoothly like ripples on a pond surface generated by the gently wafting breeze.  Then, someone mentions Trump.  Modi.  Gaza.  Israel.  Trudeau.  Poilievre.  Jagmeet.   Movies.  Pakistani TV plays.  Music and artists. 

You get the drift.

All talk around the room suddenly dies down.  Then “sleepers” start to come alive.  Long standing beliefs and often, latent prejudices come to the fore.  Information gathered from WhatsApp and other social media or sourced from controlled news channels of dubious quality is quoted to take a hard stand and influence dissenters.  In the ensuing free-for-all topic(s) of conversation change chaotically and frequently, allowing speakers to put their best foot forward (often into one’s mouth). 

No doubt you have all witnessed and/or participated in such, or similar scenarios.  It does not matter what comes up for discussion.  Everyone.  Is.  Talking.  People may be hearing what is being said.  But, is anyone listening? 

Hearing is a sensory, involuntary process or power for perceiving sound.  Cambridge Dictionary defines hearing is an event; something which happens to us as a natural process.

Listening, on the other hand, is defined as an action; something we do consciously.  It involves using the mind to actively hear with thoughtful attention for due consideration.  As volunteers at Distress Centre Halton, we are imparted Active Listening skills to focus on listening to our callers in a supportive and non-judgmental capacity.

Increasingly these days, sitting with friends and enjoying a few drams of my favourite tipple I often find myself disregarding all that I have learned over 25+ years as a volunteer.  I interrupt rudely to state my own opinion, even before I have heard what the other person wishes to say.  My prejudices dictate my thoughts and speech.  I have already made up my mind because I know.  Speaking louder than the other doesn’t make my case, but I do it any way. Political and religious topics, always considered taboo in “civil” societies and to be avoided at the dining table, now regularly split us. 

It appears that Thomas Aquinas’ First Cause Argument is being misappropriated.  We now seek to redefine and interpret history not as it unfolded, but how it is perceived by us or aligns with what we choose to believe in.  Each of us can readily identify “causes” to rally around the flag to restore “our” identity and reclaim our rightful power, usurped by “them” over the years.  Most people will preface their comments with, “Now don’t get me wrong.  Not all of them are the same.  As a matter of fact, I have many friends like … in that community.  But, you know, we can all see … they are like this only and can never change …”

I have often wondered if we all aspire to become good humans, then would it not suffice to be understanding, accepting, respectful of and loving the “other”?  Instead, we immerse ourselves in matters of faith and religion, yet behave as extolled by the American Loesser’s song, “Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!”

We need to return to basic Civility (core ethical value of politeness, courtesy in behavior or speech and respect of other human beings.)  It would be helpful to also engage in Civil Discourse when deliberating about matters of public concern to expand knowledge and promote understanding.    

To conclude, even if you cannot understand or appreciate it, I urge you to close your eyes and let this syncretic invocation (“my God is benevolent”) of Hindu and Muslim deities by Pandit Jasraj in rag Bhairav evoke the image of a new dawn breaking.  

Let us start to balance life by humanizing and embracing the “other.”