Showing posts with label fact. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fact. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Are You Afraid Of Electric Lighting?

Written By Don Shetterly
I'm seeing so many conspiracy theories these days that it almost makes my head explode.  This person is afraid of this device.  Another person is scared of another device.  Other people are fearful of gadgets and things too numerous to mention.

Everyone has their own set of facts, beliefs, and opinions to back their conclusions up and prove they have the truth.  I've seen it so many times.  Quite frankly, I'm getting so tired of seeing it everywhere I turn.

These days in our society, it doesn't have to be proven, it just needs an "element" of truth in what is being stated.  In our news, we sprinkle in a few facts along with the opinions of guests on these shows and act as if we invented the best news source in the world.

Let's start with modern day devices.  Lately, I have been seeing how microwaves spy on you and how Alexa is spying on you.  Does anyone know if these things are right?  Most likely not, but it doesn't stop them from forcing the world to hear their beliefs that this is true.

Alexa has been in the news supposedly spying on everyone.  Maybe it is true, and perhaps it is not.  I have no way to know.  If she wants to listen in on our conversations, she is going to get very bored.  They can't hardly keep up with programming her with answers, so I doubt they have time and capital to fund the massive workforce that would be required to monitor everything.

I have seen so many people treat the Alexa device as if it is some evil person coming after them.  I shake my head because these people act like any technological advancement is a bad thing.  Be wary they say.  Run, they say.  Hide, they exclaim.

For me, I'm one that believes in invention and progress.  Actually, I think we are running far behind where we should be.  There should be more advancement and growth, not less.  Will there be mistakes and hiccups along the way?  You betcha!

It all reminds me of the story I heard about Thomas Edison when he was inventing the electric light bulb.  In his wintertime hometown, he wanted to build an electric light grid so the town would be lit up.  He offered to pay for it out of his own pocket, but the townspeople said NO!  They were afraid of the electric lights.  The lights were new.  They feared them as if they were the worst things invented.

Today, we can't imagine a city or a home or a street without lights.  We don't run from electric lights in fear.  We don't pass around conspiracy theories about electric lights.  These are welcomed advances now in our lives.

We may want to think how we view progress and innovation.  If we don't keep advancing, others will.  If we stay stagnant in what we know, we've doomed the human race.  Part of being human is growth.  Part of the mind body connection is about awareness and growth.

Let's not be afraid of electric lighting, but instead embrace that which makes us fearful.  Don't follow blindly, but don't be scared to step out the door because someone has convinced you that it might be too frightening (metaphorically speaking).

Let's embrace our mind and our body.  Let's be more than we are today.  We will not get there by hiding our heads in the sand.  We won't discover and become more aware and conscious if we're against stepping out into the unknown.

Even in the light of all that has happened with data collection, we need to be cautious, but not over the top.  Each one of us should be careful of the things that we share online because any time you type the words on the screen, you no longer have control over them.





Wednesday, January 18, 2017

What Is Truth?

These days it seems like the lines between fact and fiction have blurred.  Truth is almost in the eye of the beholder it seems.  From fake news on TV and social media to people claiming they have the truth, but it turns out is nothing more than opinion and belief.  Truth seems to be everywhere, but nowhere!

We proclaim truth every day on social media.  You see it in almost every post.  We proclaim truth on news media shows from the different newsmakers and pundits claiming they have the truth.  We see people fighting about their truth and paying little attention to anyone else.

Truth seems to be something that is known to the person holding that truth.  However, there is truth based upon scientific fact that has been proven with time.  There is truth as in what people perceive their beliefs to be.  Yet, we still don't all hold the same truth.

We hold the only truth...

We all have our truth that we hold dear and precious to our heart.  We will defend our truth to the end of the world most times.  We think we hold the only truth out there and others have not discovered what we know.  Okay, maybe not everyone - but there is a vast majority doing this these days.

Why not instead of looking at all things as the only truth, see if there is something you're missing.  Can you truly back up what you're saying, or is it just regurgitated truth?  Can you truly prove what you think is truth, or are there holes in it?

Does not come with blinders...

Truth can be your present truth as long as it does not come with blinders that keep you from seeing more.  Truth can be powerful, but it also can be limiting if you're not willing to see beyond what it is that you know.  We all claim we see beyond what we know, but the evidence in our country and on social media says otherwise.

http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/2016/02/truth-we-believe-in.html

What if for one moment, you looked at your truth as the point where you are currently at.  It is the launching point to discovering more, possibly even a greater and stronger truth than you know at this moment.  Let it be the guiding force to see further ahead, rather than the limiting cave you live in.

What is truth?  That's a question I pose to everyone reading this.  What is your truth?  What is your definition of truth?  I'm sure I don't have all the answers.  Let's start a discussion and do it respectfully.





Blog Post And Images (c) 2017 by Don Shetterly
  • Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
  • You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  


Saturday, November 19, 2016

I Refuse

I'm writing this long before it is published, but it will most likely be relevant at any time it is posted.  In today's age, we have become hatemongers with one another.

We don't care about another point of view or belief.  We just demand that ours is the correct one and all others are wrong.

So today, I state the following.

Join with me if you plan to do the same.



I Refuse!

  • I refuse to partake in the hate-mongering that is thriving online.  If I cannot say something nice about someone, I will be silent.
  • I refuse to partake in the sensationalized drama that is spread through ridiculous social media postings with its only intent is to get you to click on something.
  • I refuse to partake in one-sided arguments where facts are omitted, but belief and opinion are the only arguments.
  • I refuse to propagate pictures and images and social media posts that demean any group or political ideology or persons that are different than me.
  • I refuse to spread false lies and innuendo just because someone on social media claims it is true.  I will check the facts out and if I cannot verify it, I will not spread it forward.
  • I refuse to pass claims along that appear to be valid, but have no basis in fact or ones that have been proven to be untrue.  I will take a minute to think before I forward and like a social media posting.
  • I refuse to add more screaming and yelling to the mix of social media, especially when no one is listening to anyone but themselves.
  • I refuse to live my life on social media because even though I may have connections, I know that it is the true friends you can see and talk to in life that make a big difference.
  • I refuse to get worked up about every social media posting just because the crowd has their pitchforks raised in the air and chanting in unison.

http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/2016/07/i-wish-i-had-enough-love.html

Social media is a good way to help advance things in the world, but lately all I have seen is a place that is degrading to humanity.  The only way we can rise above all of this is if we don't propagate on that which we despise and hate.

If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem.

You can expect my social media posts to be respectful, compassionate and hopefully ones that help others heal and advance their lives.  If I fail in this regard, please private message me and show me where I failed.  I will try to correct it immediately. 





Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly
  • Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
  • You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  


Friday, June 3, 2016

Are People Confusing Beliefs with Truth

Time and time again, this topic gets on my nerves.  We as a society (maybe as a world) confuse facts with opinion.  We think that just because it is our opinion or belief, that it is fact.  This could not be further from the truth and that is the truth in how I see it (just so we are clear).

On this blog, I try my hardest to write from my experiences.   The  things that I have seen or witnessed or experienced firsthand.  However, I try not to stop there.  It isn't just the one time feeling of an experience, but the repeated moments when I see something transform and change before my eyes.

We had to believe without question...

I grew up in a home where we had to believe what my dad and mom told us to believe.  We had to believe without question what the church and minister told us to believe.  We had to believe and accept as fact, whatever it was that the teachers taught us to believe.

There was no questioning it.  There was no moment of not believing it.  You either accepted what was told to you as THE TRUTH or you were considered to be a bad person.  You were a lost person that needed to find your way.  You were a deviant that would be severely punished.

Unfortunately, what I've now found through some very difficult experiences in my life is that most of what I was taught, really doesn't hold one ounce of water.  As bad as my programmed and brainwashed mind wants to believe that what I was taught was true, I know deep in my heart that it is not.

You see, we often get taught opinions and beliefs as if they are THE TRUTH.  Unfortunately, when we are not allowed to question those things, that is not truth.  It is called control or brainwashing or being very narrow minded.  I'm sorry if I am ruffling feathers here, but again, I am sharing with you what I have learned from my experiences in life.

My truth may not be your truth...

My truth may not be your truth.  My beliefs may not be your beliefs.  My opinions may not be your opinions.  After all, we are all unique and different and we have brains that process different input in different ways.  How could we all hold on to the same beliefs, opinions and truth as if there was only ONE way of looking at things.

I do realize that in our society, it is easier to form societal group units if we all adhere to one way of looking at things or one set of beliefs disguised as truth.  However, this is not the sign of a healthy civilization that is growing in awareness and consciousness.  In my view, this is the mark of a controlled people to get in step behind whoever they look to as their leaders.

There is a much different world out there then what we were taught as children or that we adhere to as adults.  I believe more and more people are beginning to see this and to me, it gives me hope.

I try to write from my experience...

I may fail from time to time on this blog, but I try hard to write from my experience, not what I believe to be TRUTH.  Experience always conquers opinion and beliefs because it is something you can see and touch and usually repeat.  Belief and opinion changes from person to person and throughout the ages.

The most important part of this blog post that I hope you take away is to be careful of confusing facts or the truth with beliefs or opinions.  Realize that maybe your way of viewing things is not the way everyone else sees that and be okay with this.  Realize that what you know today may not add up tomorrow in what you see and understand.

If we all are aware of how we confuse facts with opinions, we'll advance this world in ways that are hard to imagine.

Do you want to read more on the subject, check out truth that we believe in.

http://mindbodythoughts.blogspot.com/2016/02/truth-we-believe-in.html


Question Of The Day

What ways do you spot whether something is fact or beliefs? 





Blog Post And Images (c) 2016 by Don Shetterly
  • Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
  • You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Objective Truth In Science

This is a debate that has raged on for centuries and I'm sure what I write will barely move the meter much at all.  I come from a science background.  I've done research.  I have a degree in science, so if you discount what I'm saying, at least understand this much.

There are those that claim if it cannot be proved by science, discard it and dump it in the river.  They feel that it is either science that proves absolutely everything or nothing at all.  As soon as they make this clear, then go into their tirades against religion, alternative thoughts, and anything that doesn't agree with them.

Unfortunately even when the same people want to claim that belief has nothing to do with science, it is obvious that they don't realize that claim is nothing more then their own belief system.  Sure, they have some facts to back things up, but so do others that see the world through different eyes.  If you believe science has the answers, that is your belief system.  To fail to understand that is ignorance.

There are things that science cannot prove today as 100% fact or not 100% fact.  There are things in the past that science claimed was true, but were woefully ignorant and wrong.  Science is based upon theory that has facts to support it, but it does not account for everything we know or we think we know.

Even though religion thinks it has all the facts, it is woefully mistaken.  Religion uses belief based upon some (limited) facts of what really happened.  Through that belief, all truth is derived.  It is often at odds with science and I'm not here to give it validation or justification.

There are things we don't understand and in fact there is so much we don't understand.  Yet, we claim that science has all the answers.  Most of the time, I would agree but there are situations and circumstances that science is not able to prove that which we can see and experience.

Maybe science has not caught up to the time we are in.  Maybe science just doesn't know yet how to make sense of that which is before our eyes.  Does this mean science is not enough?  It may in the moment, but it could change in the future.  We don't need to shun science, but we need to put more effort into it, so that we can prove or disprove the unknowns.

To form such a rigid thought process of either religion or science having all the answers is ignorant at best.  To see the validity of both sides is to be an individual with a higher consciousness of thoughts.  You can't claim everyone that believes differently than you are wrong while claiming you don't have your own belief system called science.  You may be fooling yourself, but you're not fooling everyone.

Some latch on to what some say without question and gulp it down as if they have the ultimate set of facts and truth.  This is a recipe for missing what may be standing in front of their eyes.  I believe (it is my opinion) that in another 100 years or 1000 years, what we thought was ridiculousness now, may be a normally accepted truth based upon science.






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Blog Post And Images (c) 1/23/16 by Don Shetterly

  • Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
  • You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Fact And Fiction

Some days life perplexes me.  I see people following things that just don't make sense to me.  Whether it is new age practices or politics or some belief system, I find it difficult to understand.  In my eyes, too much of it doesn't add up, but maybe I'm missing something.

I see people following a sales page for some product and exclaiming the item works miracles.  Unfortunately, I don't see any hard based evidence to back this up, other than what they think it is doing.  Then, the claims that it is the best miracle since life began are regurgitated and spread around as fact.

I see people following belief systems that don't add up.  They may have some nice things in them and some very believable things, but they aren't all there in my view.  It is like, sprinkling some sugar on a doughnut.  It might make it taste better, but is it really needed for the doughnut.   Maybe 50% of it is based upon things that are true and the other 50% of it is based upon what the person or group thinks is true.

I see people following politics and news items of the day that make me really roll my eyes.  It is like their political view or their political candidate is the true one - the right one - the one with all the answers.  They degrade and shred all the others using name calling to prove their points.  In fact, most don't even realize they are calling names.  It has become such a common every day practice.  No one tries to listen to another and in all reality, the politicians have hoodwinked everyone.

We have to be careful in what we believe and follow.  Some of it is just pure horse pucky.  Some of it gets so lost in the stuff that isn't true that it makes it hard to sort out what is true.  Facts and fiction become one and the same.

Most of what is said in a day is not necessarily fact, but we all treat it as fact.  Too much of it is opinion coated with a sprinkling of facts.

It is time that we all start watching what we say and question our own words and intentions.  If we're not careful, we'll have people following what we say as if it were the foundation of all life, when in fact it might be nothing more than quick sand.

There are probably times on this blog that I make the same mistake, but I try hard to let you know when it is my opinion or belief.  I try to separate that from fact.

It is all part of being human and there are the people that try to separate fact from fiction, all the way down to the snake oil salesman.  Unfortunately these days the snake oil salesman are getting quite crafty and sneaky.  Its sometimes very hard to tell them apart from those who truly do understand fact and fiction.




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Blog Post And Images (c) 1/4/16 by Don Shetterly

  • Permission required before any part of this blog post is reprinted, reworded or used in any form. 
  • You are welcomed to share the LINK to this blog post.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Hyperbolic Social Media

I see it all the time.  This really gets on my nerves.  Hyperbolic social media posts are a pet peeve of mine.  Whether it is in social media posts on Facebook or Twitter, or if it is an email newsletter or blog posting, it is all the same.

Recently I started out subscribing to a daily newsletter.  At first, the information seemed relevant and good.  As the days wore on, I began to notice a pattern.  Everything stated in the newsletter was over-the-top hyperbole.  This was from a well-respected leader in the new age world.

As time has continued, I noticed that some of the things this person wrote about are not 100% true.  Yes, they are using facts to make their statements, but the facts are so twisted you could make a hurricane out of a tornado.  Often by what they wrote, you could tell they truly didn't understand the facts they were presenting, but it did not stop them at all.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Bless The Misguided New Age People

I know, if you're a new age person, you might not agree with me on this.  So, I'll keep it respectful and thoughtful, but there is a point I want to make and its important.  Bless the misguided new age people for they don't fully understand what it is they do and say.

Now, before you get all up in arms with me, please know that this isn't every new age person.  Although, the numbers it effects are many.  If it makes you uncomfortable, you're free to stop reading.  If not, please continue.  You can always leave a comment at the end of the blog post one way or the other.

There is just too much thought out there that "everything" is bad for you.  If it isn't food, it is thoughts.  If it isn't thoughts, it is what you say.  If it isn't what you say, than it is entities and things watching you and a whole host of things that would take me forever to state here.

The key is, not everything is BAD!  While some things may not be as healthy or good for you, to view the world through the eyes where things are "BAD" or "EVIL" or "SHAMEFUL" is really sad in my view.  If you don't think you do this, then you may want to record yourself for a day and review it.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Rush To Judgement

These days, there is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty.  In our current form of news dissemination, we all rush to judgement before we know the facts.  It doesn't matter what story is reported, everyone seems to be an armchair quarterback on every news event of the day.  If everyone was as smart as they purported to be about world events and happenings all across our land, I think we would have the mental capacity to solve every problem known to man.  Okay, maybe I'm being a little too over the top by saying "everyone".

Am I cynical about all of this?  Yes, I will be upfront and tell you that I am.  I hear people tell me that they watch different news sources and then make up their own informed opinions.  Unfortunately, no matter what news source you watch, they all have their bias and their point of view.  You aren't watching "facts".  You are watching "opinions and beliefs".

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The Truth Of Healing

The Truth Of Healing
It is so easy to lock ourselves into one viewpoint of how we see the body.  As medical and allied medical professionals, we all tend to scurry to our respective corners and only see truth as our brain filters it or according to the beliefs we have been taught.  Yes, I know everyone tries not to do this, but we are human and we live in a society that corrals us into a set of norms just to keep the status quo operating in a way that is comfortable to everyone.

In order to heal others, this is not helpful and unless we challenge ourselves and push ourselves outside of this norm, we will remain part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.  If we continue to follow our own paradigms, we lose sight of truth and discovery.  I am just as guilty of this as the next person, but I write this to give a nudge of challenge to every healing professional in our world.

Often what we perceive as fact and truth, may apply for one moment in time or it may be a result of how we filter data and experiences in life.  I have seen far too many research studies that were downright flawed or were so one sided, that I cringe from the top of my head to the bottom of my toes.  I have seen people base beliefs and practices on what they consider to be the truth, only to find out that they are regurgitating what has been taught to them.  I am speaking to all medical professionals and to the all new age folks.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Don't Let Facts Stand In The Way Of Truth

Don't Let Facts Stand
In The Way Of Truth

Let me paraphrase one of my favorite books by Michael Tamura, You Are The Answer (page 172). Facts are not the truth because you can use facts to support your position, and yet you can still be dishonest. Facts of course are created from the past, while truth is here and now.


I still remember one boss I had in a major agriculture company many years ago. His idea in dealing with people was that if he could convince people of something, than it was true. At least that is what he purported to be the belief in his own mind. At the time, I struggled to believe him, and I still find his statement to be strange.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Clutter In Our Life, Part 8

Clutter #8 - Thinking We Have The Answers
Part 8 of 10

Time and time again, I observe people talking fast, forcefully and sometimes preaching what they think it is that they know. Anymore on TV, the news pundits do this and so it continues over into life.

Just take a moment and look at any internet site from facebook to message boards to news comments and see how far it spills over. When people spend the hours watching these news show personalities proclaim their opinions as truth, it alters reality.

However, you can even walk into any given church on a Sunday or into any new age spiritual circle and see the same thing take place. If most of us realized that what we are saying to others is as much (if not more) for ourselves than it is for others, we might actually help the entire world evolve.

So often, we spread our opinions as facts and we try to convince everyone that they are fact when in reality, it is nothing more than the illusion of opinion.

Come back tomorrow for part 9 of this series, Clutter In Our Life. Below are the various parts to this series that you can read as well.

Clutter In Our Life Series
- Introduction
Part 1: Spending our hours watching TV news
Part 2: Keeping Ourselves Constantly Busy
Part 3: Numbing Ourselves
Part 4: Following Blindly
Part 5: Food Choices
Part 6: Health care, Doctors, and Medicine
Part 7: Hydrating Our Bodies
Part 8: Thinking We Have The Answers
Part 9: Exercise Is For Another Day
Part 10: We Fail To Evolve
- The 30 Day Challenge


Blog Post & Images (c) 3/20/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

Monday, February 7, 2011

Valentines Day Facts and Trivia

I know Valentine's Day is coming up and I just found some cool facts and trivia that you may or may not know. If there are any guys out there that are reading this, just know that on Monday, February 14, 2011, the day is here! So don't say you haven't heard about this. :)

I'm not saying you have to spend a lot of money but see if you can't find something special to do for the one or ones you love. Showing love to anyone does not have to be about spending money! It is the thought that counts and there are a million and one ways to show how much you love or care for someone.



Americans celebrate Valentine's Day by doing the following.
- 65% give greeting cards
- 44% have a date night
- 38% give candy
- 32% give flowers
- 29% give Gift Cards
- 17% give various miscellaneous gifts
- 12% give Perfume or Cologne
- 11% give jewelry


Valentines Day Facts and Trivia:
1) One billion cards are sent on Valentine's Day - Second only to Christmas.
2) Of people buying flowers, approximately 70% are men and 30% are women.
3) 15% of women send themselves flowers on Valentine's Day.
4) 189 million stems of roses are sold on this day in the US.
5) California produces 60% of the US roses but most are imported for this Day.
6) In 1868, Richard Cadbury sold the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates.
7) 64% of US men do not make advance romantic plans for Valentine's Day.
8) More than $1 Billion worth of chocolate is purchased on this day in the US.
9) More than 35 million heart shaped boxes are sold on Valentine's Day.
10) About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's gifts to their pets.
11) In 2010, consumers spent approximately $103 on Valentine's Day.
12) Men spend almost twice as much on Valentine's Day as women do.
13) More than one-third of men would prefer not receiving a gift.
14) Children between 6 to 10 years old give more than 650 million cards.
15) Over 50% of cards are purchased in the six days prior to Valentine's Day.
16) Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards.
17) To be awoken by a kiss on Valentine's Day is considered lucky.
18) The heart is the most common symbol of romantic love.
19) Ancient cultures believed the human soul lived in the heart.
20) The red rose was the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.
21) Valentine's Day is the most popular day for marriage proposals.
22) In Victorian times, it was considered bad luck to sign a Valentine's Card.
23) Valentine's Day is believed to have begun in France and England.
24) Alexander Bell applied for his telephone patent on Valentine's Day 1876.
25) Hallmark produced its first Valentine Day Card in 1913.


Most of all, I hope that whatever you decide to do on Valentine's Day with whoever means so much to you, that it will come from the deepest place in your heart. Remember, love is not about spending money and buying gifts. Those things can be a reflection of love but keep it in perspective. It is those surprise gifts that are created out of thought, energy and love that mean so much to those around us.

Happy Valentine's Day..

Enjoy, love and live!


Sources of Information:

1) Fun Facts About Valentine's Day
2) Valentine Day Fact
3) Valentine's Day Trivia
4) Weird Things You Didn't Know About Valentine's Day
5) Valentine's Day Fun Fact
6) Valentines Day Facts
7) Valentine's Day Facts And Trivia
8) 10 Fun Valentine's Day Facts


If you're looking for music to spend that romantic day with the person you love or just relax and chill, check out my relaxing piano music that comes directly from the heart. Available on most major retailers to purchase CD's or download mp3's. iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody, Cdbaby.com























Blog Post & Images (c) 2/5/11 Don Shetterly - use by permission only
http://www.donshetterly.com

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Love In Our Words

I see people write or say things where they claim to love, yet their words say the opposite. For instance, people love to say that they "accept" the person but not their behavior. You could easily substitute the word "love" for "accept" in this case. While this statement sounds innocuous and fine to many people, it does not truly denote love and acceptance. In fact, it can be very harmful, hurtful and full of hatred.

Love is a passionate, heart felt and personal attachment to something or in this case, a person. Love is about accepting others as they are, not as we think they should be. Love is about fully uniting with that person in a way that transcends everything about them. Pure love is not judgmental and it does not force others to comply with our views of life. It is about holding the space open for someone and accepting them completely and unequivocally with nothing held in reserve.

While many of us state that we do truly love others in a pure form of love, we often fall short. While we say that we completely accept others, we often do it with thoughts in the back of our mind saying, the other person needs to be this way or that way. It is easy to mouth the words in claiming that we love others in a pure way. However, it is much more difficult to really do as we say.

In many ways, to love someone is to accept the person. To accept the person is to love them. Yes, the two words can mean different things but in many respects they are saying the same thing. The true definition may differ but the actions are basically the same.

In my view, there is either love in this world or an absence of love. If I continue on with my previous thought, there is acceptance or there is not acceptance of others in this world. While I may be coming close to an all or nothing, dark versus light explanation, that is not my intent. If you have pure love, than there cannot be an absence of love. If you have pure acceptance of others, than you cannot half way accept others or accept others with conditions. It all depends upon the degree of love or acceptance you have.

The other day, a person said that he accepted the person (we can also use the word "love" in place of "accepted") but this same person did not accept their behavior. While they thought this was perfectly fine and they were not showing any hatred whatsoever, I would not agree with them. You can not accept someone fully or love them fully but then go on to say you do not agree and accept their behavior. The two statements are at odds with each other. Yes, you can say you don't accept their behavior, but then you truly don't love or accept the person.

It is a very subtle distinction but a very important one. For when we say we love or accept the person but not the behavior, we are putting ourselves in judgment over that person and are acting in a very condescending manner. If you are going to do this, at least be honest enough with yourself and do not try to convince others that you accept or love the same person.

Being honest with others and yourself will truly move us forward as a civilization. Hiding our truth from our self will only move us into the realm of unsubstantiated opinions that we try to hold out as facts. All too often, we misconstrue our opinions as facts in life. We will be much better people if we can truly be aware and honest with ourselves. Anything less not only hurts us individually but it hurts society as a whole.

Just to say that we do not have hatred for others through what we say, is not enough. Our words can be uplifting and bring us together or they can be hurtful and full of pain, driving us apart. As humans and as a society, we need to really understand the difference.


(Above image of the song, Hope For Haditha Children from the CD, Relaxing Spa Music by Don Shetterly- (c) 08/1/06)


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