Personal Growth Starts with Disagreement

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” — S.G. Tallentyre

Personal Growth Starts with Disagreement

“I disappro

ve of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
— S.G. Tallentyre

Good morning freaks, geeks, and others; why do you keep coming back to consume this word soup?  I can suggest an answer; there is beauty in disagreement.  Agreement is amicable but does not expand one’s mind; the debate is the leader of thought change.  Heavy for a Friday, I know; let me tone this one back a bit.

It’s another beautiful morning on top of the mountain.  Our guests spent the day hanging with their kids, visiting Morrison, and we met them for dinner at Brooks Place Tavern.  They explored during the day we worked, and we ended up back at the house watching an Anthony Hopkins flick.  We got to bed about eleven, two hours after our usual bedtime, but I jumped out of bed running on 7 hours of sleep; this older man might need a nap later!

About 3:00, we headed down the hill to celebrate the return of a good friend.  Greg “Woody” Greenwood is a fixture in Denver.  He’s a connector; he’s been one of the main reasons for our success, and after a sabbatical, the legend has returned to help our community.  His new mate Bridget is a gem; I got a text from him that we were meeting at someplace on Sante Fe to hang out and reconnect.

The guest list as I knew it was three people, all good friends, we would not miss an opportunity to see our old friends.  We arrived and realized that we previously insured this spot for a client; they had moved and subleased, and the subleaser was someone we met through Woody a few years ago.

A full bar was set up, as was food for those hungry.  We arrived early and watched as more than 50 humans showed up, not wearing masks, just living as the world had returned to normal.  We hung out in a large courtyard, old and new friends flocked in to support and see their old friend, our connector “Woody.”

An interesting thing happened as I was meeting some folks; John said, “I follow you on social media.”  I said, “really?”  He replied, “yeah, I like your take.”  I’ve never met John, but he is a gem that I’ll connect with when “home” in Colorado.  Another man approached, offered his hand, another new face who also said, “I read your stuff every day.”  He added, “I don’t always agree with you.” I smiled, “really, you disagree with me?” 

He is not the first or the last person to share; he disagrees with me.  I think this is something that most find appalling or unusual, but in my feeble mind, if someone agrees with me 100%, there is something wrong with that person. I suspect you too, you consumer of my soup, have read words I’ve written and thought, “nope.”  And I love that disagreement firms one stance and causes a person to defend or justify their thoughts and ideas.

The thoughts and ideas you are reading or maybe have read in the past are from a white kid.  You should have your thoughts and ideas, and where there is conflict, it’s not a time to get angry, but a time to open your mind and ask, “why does he think that way, or maybe why do I think this or that?”  I write to push others to think critically about why they feel the way they do. I think one of the most significant issues in society is the lack of critical thinking.  The wolves have died, and the sheep now run the world; I suspect you are a wolf if you are reading these words. Never forget wolves do not lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.

In the past, I’ve had some sheep ask to be added to my email list. Inevitably they ask to be removed; something I said triggered them to the point they could no longer see or read my work in their inbox.  It has happened a few times, and I always think, ok, thin skin, I got you.  I remove them and carry on with my day wondering how life might be getting angry over the opinion of another.

If you disagree with me, thank you.  Enlighten me, share with me where I am wrong, but do so in a kind manner.  I hear things all the time that I think, “that does not make sense?”  And then I am left to ponder and wonder why I feel the way I do.  Agreement is amicable; disagreement is bliss.  There is no man, no woman, no transgender that I agree with 100%, and if you find that person check yourself, something is amiss.

I’m here to learn; I’ve got a few trips around the sun under my belt, I’ve formed ideas, thoughts, and opinions, and I own them.  I share them and wonder if people share my insight or have different views or beliefs.  I assure you the 25, 35, and 45-year version of me would not find these 50 something views in line with their experience; I’ve evolved, and I suspect you have as well. When you stop growing, you die.  We were put on this earth to be magical bean stocks that grow until we take our last breath.  Some miss the point of existence.

My friend Paul sent me this Fear does not stop death.  It stops life.  And worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles.  It takes away today’s peace. Grammarly alerted me that this is a monotonous passage; sorry, Gram, I think this a good thing to share.  I have very little fear these days, I say what I think, I do as I do, and I think the world would be better if more people stood up and said, “I think this!”  Society oppresses ideas, thoughts, and dreams, and I think that is a shame, but it won’t last forever; freedom of thought will make a triumphant return.  Fellow wolves, our time is coming.

“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
— S.G. Tallentyre