Why We Can’t Get Along

I’ve figured it out.

I know why there is so much friction in this world. Why everything is a source of contention.

Personally, I believe the source of the problem emanates from our passions.

Yep. You heard me.

Well, okay, it may not be our passion that’s problematic, rather it’s when our innocent passion develops into a full blown obsession.

That’s when the trouble begins.

Suddenly, truth becomes subjective. We believe what is easy and convenient to believe.

We stop listening to anybody who doesn’t share our view.

We stop thinking for ourselves, and instead rely on the talking points of anybody (reliable or not) who shares our view.

We become argumentative and combative. Condescending even.

We stop learning.

All because we would rather be right than know what is true.

Think about it. I know you’ve witnessed it. Probably not in yourself (that’s hard), but most definitely in others (much easier).

Do you know anybody who is passionate about their health? Fitness? A specific diet? Religion? Career? Education? Kids?

How about someone who is passionate about a cause (‘pick a color’ lives matter) or an ideology (environmentalism or feminism or dare I mention a political party)?

Know anyone like that?

I get it. It’s easy to get pulled in. We want to belong. To be a part of something.

And passions can provide a label. An identity. A hat or t-shirt to be worn, a bumper sticker to display.

Again, it’s not the passion that’s the problem. It’s when the passion becomes an obsession and is pursued with blatant disregard for anyone or anything who has a different view.

It’s when our passion becomes what we worship.

It’s when we become ANTI ‘the other side’ or ANTI ‘everything else’.

It’s when our way becomes the only way.

It’s when we have no interest in finding common ground. In finding solutions.

Everything we do, every choice we make, every word we speak (or write), every action we take (or don’t), every meme we share, makes a statement.

And the statement isn’t so much about our passion, but about our character.