If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple.
But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
— George Bernard Shaw
I received this quote recently in an email, and it really resonated with me. To me, it is what life is all about – the sharing of ideas. Listening. Learning. I may not always agree with what you say, or like your idea – but I do enjoy learning what you have to say and trying to understand why. The why can be why you think the way you do. OR, it can be why do I disagree with you?
Seems to me, that very often today people tend to disagree “because…”. There isn’t a real reason ‘why’. Oh sure, some people just like to be contrary – take the other point of view just for the intellectual stimulation of the discussion. That’s fine. It can also be fun. But what perplexes me is the person who just says ‘because…”
Whatever the topic – be it the socially forbidden topics of religion and politics, or a point of philosophy, or preferences in art or music, my hope is that we all know why we like “that” piece of music or “this” piece of art. Of course it should also carry over into our spiritual and political views as well, even if we don’t talk about them as much.
So just keep in mind as today turns into tomorrow and tomorrow into next week – that every time you exchange an idea with another – you both will have grown.