2008 Woodie Awards
Change always hard but for the best
Christian Ashlar
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Viewpoints
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At the conclusion of my article last week, I spoke about change, and it is of change that I wish to begin this week's article.
For many, the idea of change means a different route to school or a different pair of jeans for Friday night's mixer than the ones you wore the previous Friday. For many others, change means breaking the mold they've found themselves in and discovering something new for themselves and their world.
Still many others see change as the ebb and flow of life and something to be embraced whenever it presents itself. However you view this issue of "change," know that it can alter you in the proverbial blink of an eye or it can take the rest of your life.
The man that did this to Daniel, we'll call him John for purposes of clarification, could be jailed for assault for what he did. If this happens, the hatred he felt toward my friend finds justification in his mind and he continues to hate anyone who acts in a way Daniel did toward him.
In jail, he will find others to commiserate with him and his situation and the hate germinates and begins to take firm root. Every time he encounters someone with similar circumstances, that root digs in a little deeper until finally it is so deeply implanted that it cannot easily be removed.
However, should John be allowed to stay out of jail, he may one day realize what a gift this is that Daniel didn't rob him of freedom as he'd robbed Daniel of good health.
Yes, the realization may not be instantaneous but it may be well worth the wait. Daniel's good deed will germinate in the same way and eventually flower into something wonderful. The ability to change a mindset or behavior pattern is present.
The incident with Daniel started when someone was confronted with something they didn't understand and then reacting badly to it. Daniel's kindness to another man was mistaken for a romantic advance and I have to marvel at the incredible stupidity involved in this mental leap and I am shocked by the arrogance on the part of the heterosexual male that believes if another man is nice to him, they're "hitting on" him.
For many, the idea of change means a different route to school or a different pair of jeans for Friday night's mixer than the ones you wore the previous Friday. For many others, change means breaking the mold they've found themselves in and discovering something new for themselves and their world.
Still many others see change as the ebb and flow of life and something to be embraced whenever it presents itself. However you view this issue of "change," know that it can alter you in the proverbial blink of an eye or it can take the rest of your life.
The man that did this to Daniel, we'll call him John for purposes of clarification, could be jailed for assault for what he did. If this happens, the hatred he felt toward my friend finds justification in his mind and he continues to hate anyone who acts in a way Daniel did toward him.
In jail, he will find others to commiserate with him and his situation and the hate germinates and begins to take firm root. Every time he encounters someone with similar circumstances, that root digs in a little deeper until finally it is so deeply implanted that it cannot easily be removed.
However, should John be allowed to stay out of jail, he may one day realize what a gift this is that Daniel didn't rob him of freedom as he'd robbed Daniel of good health.
Yes, the realization may not be instantaneous but it may be well worth the wait. Daniel's good deed will germinate in the same way and eventually flower into something wonderful. The ability to change a mindset or behavior pattern is present.
The incident with Daniel started when someone was confronted with something they didn't understand and then reacting badly to it. Daniel's kindness to another man was mistaken for a romantic advance and I have to marvel at the incredible stupidity involved in this mental leap and I am shocked by the arrogance on the part of the heterosexual male that believes if another man is nice to him, they're "hitting on" him.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Bob Zimmerman
posted 3/06/07 @ 9:41 AM CST
I'm hooked on Christian Ashlar and his observations. When my E-copy of the Pacer comes I immediately look for the Viewpoints section to see what he's written this week. (Continued…)
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