Happy Dialectic Day

There's quite a few definitions in the dictionary for dialectic but they all pretty much center around logical argumentation. So, it's the argumentative process... in an attempt to explain, reason and justify a viewpoint.

A couple other definitions:

• A method of argument or exposition that systematically weighs contradictory facts or ideas with a view to the resolution of their real or apparent contradictions.
  
• The contradiction between two conflicting forces viewed as the determining factor in their continuing interaction.

It's odd that this is today's holiday, for me. I've been studying my own arguments along with others' arguments in an attempt to discover why it is that the argumentative process can bring about such feelings of angst, bewilderment, confusion, hurt and loss. To understand one's own viewpoint along with another's viewpoint and then recognize the conflict itself rather than what items are conflicting is the first step to dismantling the conflict to begin with.

Some people like conflict, I think. It gives them a high of sorts. It gives them something to be right about and oooh we know how GOOD it feels to be right. But in truth, everyone is right in their own perspective and that will not change anytime soon. Being told we're wrong never feels good... we tend to seek out others that agree with our standpoint and then firm up our beliefs and enter into the conflict again.

But what if we saw the conflict for what it was... and just agreed not to participate in it. What if we agreed that the conflict was what drove us apart in the first place... regardless of what it was about? Ahh... then we might agree to come together and focus on things that make us laugh and join together rather than things that drive us apart. Self drives us apart and keeps us away from others. Trust brings us together. Trust is a hard thing to do sometimes, tho. Especially with self sitting there telling us all the things that we love to hear... because ... it's right.

Now... take this into every part of your life. Your friends, your family, your work, your play, your beliefs, everything. How much is driven by self? Are you trying to make your friends like you? Are you trying to make your family love you? Are you trying to impress your boss and elevate yourself over your co-workers? Are you trying to be the best at sports and games to elevate yourself? Are you showing off your piety and devotion?

It's SOOOO easy... Lord knows I've slipped up and found myself all wrapped up in myself many times. It's an easy thing to do. We live with ourselves 24 hours a day, 7 days a week... and we're all bombarded by selfish propaganda every day. As Ghandi said when asked what he thought about western civilization.... "I think it would be a very good idea!" Hopefully, y'all got that. :)

Peace Bitches,
Jenna