Volume 2, Issue 2, February 2003

ACCEPTANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY AGREEMENT

Is it possible for people of opposing views to coexist together and respect each other’s point of view? When one’s views are in conflict with another, whose point of view should win out?

As we become more global and society becomes more diverse, we will be exposed more and more to different ways of being. This diversity will challenge our basic belief systems.

In the past, people were born in a certain village. They were raised only with the knowledge of the people in that village. They were given the rules of conduct in the village. The village elders gave the people their God, their religion and their history according to the village traditions and the perceptions and biases (interpretation) of these elders.

I am not saying this has been wrong. It has been this way for generations and it was the only way we knew. Here is the problem, (and I know you may be tired of hearing this) but “…the times, they are a changin’”. We are no longer a segregated group of villages with our own Gods, our own customs and our own peoples. With the advent of technology and the ease of travel, we have become a global village. We are now a village of many religions, races, beliefs, sexuality’s, colours, many tastes and a village of many concepts of morality.

So again I ask, “How do we learn to live together in this global village without repressing (or oppressing) one person’s beliefs over that of another?”

Try this…“Acceptance is not necessarily agreement”. I accept the fact that you eat spaghetti on toast for breakfast, but I don’t necessarily agree with it. I should not be forced to do it and nor should you be forced to stop.

I have said many times, “Everyone should be allowed to do anything they want, as long as they don’t knowingly adversely affect the planet or anyone on it”. Whether I choose to eat spaghetti for breakfast or not, is not for anyone else to judge.

Another way to look at things we don’t like, don’t understand or do not approve of is to add two words on the end of our comment about a particular thing. Those two words are: for me. Eating spaghetti for breakfast is not right for me. Now take this into all aspects of interaction in this global village of ours. We still have the right to free speech. We still have the right to choose what we will or will not do. What we must learn to do is not force others to do or not do what we believe in.

Let us say that I thought that flying a plane was the worst sin in the world and that if God meant us to fly, He would have given us wings. I have the right to voice my opinion. I have the right to write letters and pay for advertisements condemning flight. But, I do not have the right to stop you from flying. Let me repeat that, I do not have the right to stop you from flying. I must remember those two words and incorporate them in my thought process. “Flying is not for me”.

When we in this global village finally learn these simple rules of interaction and relationships, all people will live together in harmony and we will begin to celebrated our differences and not be afraid of them.

Let me leave you with this quote from my book Best In Life:

“Human complexities aren’t black and white. They’re every shade of gray.

Don’t let the dark side creep into the brightness of the day.”

Peace, Love & Happiness!

Ted

FEEDBACK

“How awful to lose a friend so young, and how awful at the holiday time. Talk about leaving behind 2002 and moving on to a "new" year. God, how final is death?!

Lovely article.”

Rosemary Verri

“I really enjoyed the latest caravan! Very touching and fitting with a lot of

things I'm reading right now.”

Darren Stehle

“Thanks Ted, for this inspiring message. I'm sure that Ward was comforted by

your being there at his life's end. It sounds like a life well lived and

that he knew this as he passed on.”

Barb Paris

“KUDO's to you for that wonderful article on Ward's Legacy; it's

Enlightening, Inspirational & Full of Wisdom…”

Samuel Jonas

Brodi’s Bits

I would like to inform you that Ted is now a certified instructor for the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (R.I.B.O). We are presently offering two courses under the categories of Management Skills and Personal Skills. A certificate of attendance will be provided to any brokers looking to take the courses, however, both courses are excellent resources for both your personal and professional lives so anyone is welcome to attend. Our first set of courses will be held March 25/03 and April 15/03 in St. Catharines. Please contact us for more details and to register…space is limited.

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