The disturbing trend of all media – social, mainstream, alternative – is that it is teaching us to communicate from a negative and defensive mindset. We are learning that communication is about reacting with negative judgments rather than responding with a mindset to respect and understand. We are creating create reactive, emotional beings who become more and more concerned about their feelings instead of problem-solvers.
When you think people who disagree with you are somehow mentally inferior, that is not only wrong, it is extremely unhealthy personally and to a culture, it is dangerously destructive.
Arguing, strife, stress are damaging -not just to relationships, but to you personally, to your brain. Neuroscience has discovered that negative thinking over a long period of time actually causes brain damage; not to mention the destruction that takes place at the cellular level where disease begins.
Here’s a good question to ask yourself when you’re tempted to jump into the ‘I have a right’ pool– what else could you have done with the time you spent fuming, despising, judging? What, if instead, you spent that time creating, solving a problem, helping a friend?
The point of this post is that our current environment is ripe for game changers; for people who will step up and change the conversation for good.
I dare you to make a decision to grow your critical thinking skills. Begin by deciding to listen for understanding which opens the way for you to hear different opinions as a source of new ideas and innovation. Not only will this help you become more creative, it is a sure indicator of confidence and maturity.
I dare you to discipline yourself – develop a routine for your mental fitness: create, innovate, try new things, do puzzles, write a short story, take on new hobbies. study music or art, read fiction, travel. You’ll find it’s a much more meaningful way to live.
I dare you to be the change for good in your world.
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