By Jamie Neben
One of my primary desires in life, and the underlying reason why I co-founded Waves of Gray with A.C. Smith, is to make the world a better place. As an idealist who believes that change is possible, I strive to spread positive energy in any possible capacity, whether it’s by way of a private exchange, or through mass communication such as a website article or radio interview. Of course, I am hardly alone in that endeavor, and I’m sure we could all name several noteworthy individuals who have contributed untold resources to the cause of improving the lives of other people. But along with the recognition and gratitude, I have to wonder about the degree of resistance each person experiences while seeking to make a difference.
The reason I mention it is because my good vibrations are often met with cynicism, if not outright contempt. Those who will even admit that my mission is laudable are prone to ask me why I bother. I’ve been told that peace is not achievable on a community scale, let alone a global one. From their perspective, the mere thought that I might make a sizable impact is compared to living in a fool’s paradise. Some who are less enthusiastic demand to know why they should be nice to others when nobody treats them in kind. Then you have those who take satisfaction from misfortune.
For the record, I don’t believe for a minute that we can magically transform our world into a land of rainbows and kitty cats. I know that evil is interwoven into the fabric of human nature. We are capable of many shameful feelings and behaviors. With so much unpleasantness in the air, it’s no wonder most of us find ourselves in a terrible mood now and then. Despite all the madness, I will never give up hope.
There can be peace and love.
Changing the world starts with one person at a time. Every one of us has the power to influence another in ways great and small. We probably don’t realize the impact of our actions. A quick smile toward a stranger might brighten their entire day while a casual conversation between acquaintances may unexpectedly offer profound enlightenment. Making the effort to be courteous, to show manners, and to care for the well being of others is not only the right thing to do, but could be contagious too. If misery loves company, so does happiness. We need to treat each personal encounter as an opportunity to make someone’s life better. Hopefully, our good thoughts and deeds create a ripple effect as they move from person to person.
I totally get how this might sound like a bunch of happy horse manure. But what’s the problem with wishing for peace, or wanting things in society to work out for the best? Please explain to me what the pleasure is in degrading somebody, possibly someone you don’t even know, because their race, religion, lifestyle, or political position is different than yours? What’s the problem in observing the Golden Rule? What happened to the notion that being good is its own reward?
Our positive energy does not diminish the more we use it. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain by showing love and kindness to each other. We can choose to make the world a better place.
Let’s do it, shall we?
Jamie,
This is excellent!! I try to be positive in my dealings, as well. Just this morning, I stopped by a booth in a local restaurant and talked with a couple from Ohio. The word, Cincinnati was on the man’s shirt and that opened the comments. They were in town visiting and we talked for a couple of minutes exchanging remarks about here and there, travel, children, etc. In the end, I welcomed them to the area and wished them a good stay. We were all smiling and feeling good at that point.
There is no room for so much hate and negativity in this world, and I really don’t know where or how it starts. And, much of it is based on hearsay. Get to know a person or circumstance and the negative energy might turn positive. At least, give it a chance!!
I commend you on your positive outlook. It has made you an amazing person.
The prerequisite to making anything better is knowing what good is. In your case, the most positive step you can take is to realize that you don’t. Otherwise you will remain blissfully oblivious to your status as an instrument of evil.
Yguy…thank you for your comment!
Now why do you say that I don’t know what good is? What is good in your opinion? And calling me an instrument of evil is a bit harsh, don’t you think?
Seems to me we’ve been over all that, Mr. Pilate … er, I mean, Neben.
I really couldn’t care less, because it’s true.
Yguy,
1) What do our well-established differences have to do with the desire to be positive and making people happier? I did not insert any politics into this article whatsoever other than by stating that we shouldn’t DEGRADE people because of their political affiliation, among other things. So please don’t assume I only want to make the world a better place only if it’s in accordance with a party platform.
2) If someone wants to be positive, and encourages others to do the same, why wouldn’t you applaud such an ambition? Do you want everyone to be miserable and suffer? Do you want human beings to isolate each other, to ignore the golden rule, and to continue the angry rhetoric and violence? Would that make YOU more positive? That seems in conflict with the “family values” aspect of the Conservative party (if indeed you do support that idea). Anyway, I want to show compassion toward you even if we never agree on anything so kindly take that into consideration.
You appear to be the very type of person I was referring to in my post when I mentioned cynicism and contempt. I hope you can learn to move past politics and think more about the human condition. Most importantly, I suggest you lose that attitude. Be positive!
Pollitical views reflect the working definition of good of the individual holding them.
But you do just that, by trying to lay phony guilt trips on people who lack your tolerance for evil.
Depends on which people you’re talking aobut. I don’t want decent people to suffer, but I want the Obamas, Pelosis, Reids and their ilk to bear the misery they would inflict upon others. Is that supposed to be a problem?
You might as well, Mr. Neben, as clueless as you are about it.
Yeah, thanks for nothing. Next you’ll be praying for me.
Please, I understand it at least a million times better than you do.
That’s what I’m doing. 🙂
Perhaps you’re missing the point here. I am not talking about how we view or treat politicians or open supporters of them, although positive thinking should still apply in those cases. I’m talking about everyday life. Let’s say we make this simple.
Would you only smile while passing a stranger if you knew he or she is a Conservative? Would you not hold the door open for somebody entering a building behind you, or thank the person who held it for you if you suspected that person to be a liberal? Would you not wave to another driver who stopped to let you through because they may have a lifestyle you disapprove of?
But we can quickly double back to the political angle for you. For those that you believe bear misery, the goal should be to subtract it rather than adding to it. You want Rep. Pelosi or Senator Reid to suffer because they make other people suffer. Then everybody’s miserable. That doesn’t help anybody.
I want our society to be kind-hearted and take an interest in helping with the plight of others, such as contributing directly in the local community or donating to relief efforts on the other side of the world. Don’t you?
I want the youth of today to be urged to take their education seriously and pursue their dreams. Don’t you? Any of them might just become the scientist that finds a cure for cancer, the engineer that creates a renewable substitute for oil, or perhaps the teacher that inspires the next generation.
Many of the people we come into contact with everyday are unfamiliar to us, but they are human beings and they deserve respect until you find out otherwise.
Or do you prefer not to respect someone–anyone–until you learn what makes them tick? If so, you are part of the problem.
Please, Mr. Neben, it’s not like you’re saying anything new.
Says who? Did Christ subtract from the suffering of the pharisees by calling them children of the devil?
On the contrary, if the vampire’s prey finds the wherewithal to drive away the vampire, clearly the intended victim is helped; and if there’s anything good in the vampire, his resultant suffering will awaken the good in him that had lain dormant up to then.
You may rest assured, Mr. Neben, that I couldn’t care less whether you think I’m part of the problem or not, since I know perfectly well that YOU are part of the problem, and as such are unconsciously attempting to project your own culpability onto people like me.
Would you please answer the questions I asked you in my last response? I would like to know how you think about and treat human beings when their politicsl views are unknown (like with strangers) or undeveloped (like with young people).
No, because you don’t need those questions answered. What you need is to reflect on why you dodge my questions.
I am more than happy to address the one question you asked.
“Says who? Did Christ subtract from the suffering of the pharisees by calling them children of the devil?”
Even if he admonished the pharisees he still loved and wanted to save them along with all mankind.
Actually, Christ could have easily physically eradicated his enemies and executioners, but decided to submit himself to crucifiction so that all of us would suffer less by acknowledging his sacrifice and resurrection.
There you go. Now I do, in fact, need my questions answered. I believe you want to avoid them because you can’t help but agree with me on those issues. Guess what….that’s alright once in a while.
I’ve asked you quite a few questions in the last few months, the overwhelming majority of which you have evaded…
…so it’s no surpise to see you doing it yet again. A straight answer would of course begin with a yes or no; but of course had you done that you would have come dangerously close to the realization that salvation for the pharisees was not possible before they experienced a healthy dose of the suffering they were imposing on others – which of course is why He didn’t go all Mister Rogers on them as you no doubt would have.
Evidently I have somehow failed to make myself pefectly clear. I don’t give a rat’s asparagus what you think you need, and I don’t owe you a damn thing.
Yeah, I get it: you see agreement as a basis for negotiation.
Not happening. As long as I’m able to post here, since I have superior understanding of a very few elemental truths to which you are unconsciously hostile, I’m gonna tell you how wrong you are about practically everything, and you can bloody well take it or leave it. Sound like a deal?
Please make no mistake…your posts are welcomed and appreciated even if you disagree with me about practically everything. I’m sorry if you think I have evaded your questions. I probably assumed they were rhetorical, but I invite you to press me on anything going forward if you feel I dismissed a question you want answered.
You are correct that you don’t owe me anything. I am just trying to maintain an honest dialogue where we can understand each other better to move the communication forward. I don’t want a basis for negotiation. I am just trying to establish simple truths. And I’m certainly not hostile about anything.
So keep telling me I’m wrong, but in the spirit of fairness, I get to do the same thing. Otherwise, I’d just be tied to a whipping post, and that’s not good for anyone.
If your evasions exist only in my mind, there is nothing for you to be sorry about; so this is just another another of your transparents attempt at sticky-sweet manipulation.
No, you’re trying to avoid them.
By stating I’m sorry if you think I evaded your questions, it doesn’t mean I am apologizing. I mean it in the sense of “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry about your loss.” No manipulation exists on my part.
Just because we disagree on the truth many times doesn’t mean I am trying to avoid it. Just because you believe you are right, doesn’t mean you are. It doesn’t mean I am either. In fact, we could both be wrong! As contradictory as it sounds, we could also both be right.
Please, manipulation is your mission in life.
Thumb up!!!