Well, this is the 100th post to my blog. I have reached the goal that I had set for myself in the spring of this year (2009). For this blog, I want to encourage everyone with something...that is discussing with respect.

As many of my readers and followers are probably aware, I have different political beliefs than most. In fact, I do not claim to be of a "political party." Why you may ask? Well the reason is simple. Both of the classic political parties are full of corruption, both Republican and Democratic. So, with that being said, I am an independent...a "free thinker" if you will.

Here recently, I was corresponding with a guy in whom I have never actually met via Twitter. The conversations started off okay...We both attend the same university and we were talking about that. Then...he sent me some very cold and harsh DM's (direct messages) about how "ignorant" and "close minded" I am...and even said that I have "a 6th grade understanding" of politics. I was in no way offended by this, because I am aware that most people can not have a civilized discussion about things. They do not know their facts, so the only thing they can do is viciously attack another person.

Let me encourage everyone on this...whether we believe the same things or not. This is a good thing to apply to any aspect of your life. A friend once told me "It is easier to attract bees with sugar than with vinegar." How true that statement is. It shows your immaturity if you just attack a person because they believe differently than you. I am all for discussing things...whether on a political, religious or personal basis, but I will not be attacked. When that happens, I will step away from the situation and move on to bigger and better things.

I welcome debates, but there also needs to be an understanding of professionalism and respect. I quite frankly do not care what a person thinks of me...I am not in high school anymore. I am not here to please anyone...So please, when you disagree, please agree to disagree agreeably.

-Ken

Labels: agree, disagree, goal, politics, professionalism, respect, twitter

Information. It is something that is a vital part of each of our lives. You contain a lot of it, but what are you doing to positively impact this world and the people within it with the information that you distribute? Are you too concerned with what people would think about you for your information you contain? Those are some deep questions, but if we look at ourselves, it is really something that we need to evaluate on a daily basis. Not just once.

Whether it be through Twitter, Facebook, a blog or personal connections (just to name a few) we all have made a label for ourselves. Looking at our model, he exhibits information that is positive, encouraging and uplifting to his people in the world around him. Now, I am not saying here that everything has to be serious and life-changing. You can add some stuff in there that is funny, cheery, or even sarcastic...but do so in good taste. Keep it professional.

Odds are high that there are going to be people who disagree with you, but how do you handle that? I have many opinions, thoughts and beliefs that contradict the people around me, but I am not discouraged by that. For example, I like the color blue. My neighbor here "hates" the color blue. He prefers red. Does that make him wrong? Absolutely not. You also have to ask yourself what basis is this opinion disagreed with? Is it a moral issue? Spiritual? Political? If you publicly ridicule someone for a matter of disagreement, then that is not in good taste. If you disagree with someone on a matter, ask yourself why. Do research and find out if your life depended on it, if you believed enough, you would stand firm in your decision. Learn to disagree agreeably.

I have learned much in my time of interaction with people, and I have matured much. We are all wired different and have different beliefs. So, I ask you the same questions now that were above...What are you doing to positively impact this world and the people within it with the information that you distribute? Are you too concerned with what people would think about you for your information you contain?

It is your civil duty to do research and find out what you believe and why. Once you are confident, inform others. Maybe they were wrong, and you can cast a positive change in their life by taking your stand. You never know. Love you guys!

-Ken

Labels: A New Man in Town, agree, disagree, growth, information, informative, interaction

A teacher I had for a Bible class in high school always taught me "You must learn to agree to disagree agreeably." If we could make an amendment to the golden rule, I think this would be great to add on along side of the existing rule of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Labels: abortion, agree, America, beliefs, conservative, controversial, different, disagree, experiences, firearms, forgiveness, relationships