I found myself today thinking about the different way we debate topics or issues with one another. I mean it is an election year.I am someone who loves to debate. I love to hear people disagree with me and why. I do not often change my mind but I often learn something. I have found however that the older I get the more I realize that passion for a topic does not equate anger. When I was younger, I would sit and argue with my grandmother, yes argue not debate. We would disagree but I always felt like if I got louder, angrier, more impassioned it would somehow change her mind. I know know now how untrue that it. There is that statement, you will catch more bees or flies or something with honey. I think it is so true. Hostility and anger are not going to make someone suddenly snap to attention and see the light. They are not going to magically agree with you.
I also have to say that I think when you are ruled by anger when debating or talking, you lose some credibility. When someone is talking with you and maybe stating a different point of view you will listen. You may disagree but you will listen. When someone is angry, ranting, and someone dismissive of your ideals, you stop listening. I find myself instead thinking, "wow she is so angry....shut up....stop ranting". They no longer are credible to me me. I don't want to waste my time talking with someone so enraged because they are essentially speaking out of anger and not going to hear me at all.
I am somewhat of a pacifist and I believe so much of the worlds issues could be handled with talking instead of shooting or bombing. The key word there is talking. We should be able to talk with one another and debate without hostility and anger taking over. No single person is right and no single person is wrong. Maintain an open mind and be willing to listen as much you are willing to talk. You never know what you may hear and the effect it may have on you and you opinion.
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