People hate individualists.
For some reason, every time someone stands against corrupt and incompetent systems, haters seem to come out of nowhere. Maybe the person didn’t even say something controversial. Many times he just shares his story. And immediately people attack him for no apparent reason.
Most often, people feel the need to defend the very system that holds them captive. Rather than face the reality of a failed structure, they run to protect the idea they have based their life on for so long. In their insecurity, they attack the person who they think is assaulting their safe zone. All logic flies away, and emotion rises to the surface as they validate their belittling of the person who stands against the system.
The problem with attacks like this is they cannot be refuted in the eyes of the attacker. No matter how many facts come to the table, the system is always right and the person who challenges it must go down.
I’ve faced this all my life. I’ve always been a freethinker. All I have to do is ask a question or share a story, and people everywhere take personal offense. I’m not out to hurt or offend anyone. I am here, however, to challenge the traditions and systems that many take without question. I live to see people think for themselves. My passion is to set individuals free from the bondage of thought processes and organizations that hold them captive.
Here’s my challenge to the freethinkers:
- Don’t get into an emotional argument. Never counteract something out of frustration. Above all, don’t attach your anger against a system of ideas to the person who is hotly defending the system. My dad always told me: “Don’t get into an argument in the pig pen. You’ll find the pig loves it more than you do.”
- Learn when to stop talking. There’s truth to the biblical idea of not casting your pearls before swine. This basically means to know where and when to place your arguments. If someone is set in his ways, even the greatest logical debate will not convince him against his thought process.
- Brush it off. Recognize that people only attack you because they view you as a threat to their safety. You are not the problem. Don’t let the rejection of a personal attack get to your head.
- Be willing to admit when you are wrong. Everyone misses things. We all have preconceived notions that can lead us to false conclusions. Don’t get caught in the same boat as the people who criticize you.
- Remember that the truth will stand regardless of who comes against it. If you have spoken the truth, leave the conversation and let the rest go. You only create more negativity by chasing a hater in circles.
It takes a great amount of discipline to hear people argue without reason. It’s hard to hear someone who can’t see anything from another perspective. Be the first person to listen to another angle of an argument. Always be the bigger man. The truth is, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Be open about your stance on an issue, but don’t accuse another simply because he holds a different position. And never, never drop to the level of personal accusation.