Tags
Conservative, Curiosity.com, Documentaries, Learning, left, Liberal, right, school
The weather is sticky today in Michigan. Dad had a hearing aid appointment, and Bella (our dog) and I are holding down the fort. Today, I’ve got some homework to do, my exercise routine, reading, taking a class, and all the rest. I’m in my last class for a Masters in Sociology. Why college, when I’m retired?
I love to learn. I don’t take student loans. I pay cash for my courses and materials. I also attend online, so I don’t have any commuting to do. It’s a good feeling to knock out a degree. I just enjoy reading broadly. When I left the Army I was pretty conservative (politically). Over time, however, I have moved more left. I have experienced a great deal in my life, and have opened my mind a great deal, particularly because of the assignments and reading in school.
Have I been indoctrinated, like so many conservatives would posit? No. When you read broadly, however, you take time to hear the arguments of the other side. Instead of being close-minded, like so many on the social media feeds, who are constantly bashing the other side, I have discovered that both sides of the political aisle have legitimate positions. Compromise, however, left our political discourse years ago. You just do not see it anymore. Maybe some of our elected officials should go back to school? (Ha)!
What’s the message of today’s posting? Read broadly and continue to educate yourself. You are not too old to learn new things. We are always learning new things anyway. Why not learn something specific? I try to learn something new each week. I like learning about other people, who I post about on my Wisdom Wednesday article. I like to watch documentaries. You just pick up so much stuff when you watch a good documentary. I really enjoy the documentaries on history. I would recommend curiosity.com for my documentaries. This is one terrific channel and it only costs $20 USD a year.
Well, that’s it for my Motivation Monday posting! I hope you have a terrific day!
Until next time…
Dave
Daily Ramblings... 
Interesting read today Dave, thanks for sharing. I removed myself from a good chunk of social media about a year ago for the reasons you give in today’s article – I’m happier and also a bit more open minded because of it!
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Awesome. Yeah, I’ve even limited my news consumption. It’s almost digressed to a soap opera. Thanks for stopping by. ~ Dave
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Excellent message! I agree wholeheartely with listening and reading to learn and that reading broadly helps us to become less polarized. Have I mentioned the group, Braver Angels? They seek to depolarize America. In my opinion, it is popular media (mainstream news and much of social media) that reinforces the bashing and division. Compromise still exists, it’s just harder to find. My beliefs have leaned left as long as I can remember, but my lifestyle has become more conservatives over time.
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Isn’t it interesting that both of us have moved more to the middle, despite coming from polar opposites? I think this is the solution. We all have to come to the middle, realizing that both extremes are absolutely worthless. Avoiding the news is also a terrific way to do that. They engage much of the populace by getting them involved in the arguments. They keep fanning the fire, because it gains viewers. Oh, how we love to be entertained. Thanks for stopping by!
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I hope more viewers get tired of the flame fanning and step toward the middle.
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That would make a huge difference. The news stations/outlets would gave to adapt.
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Through education and exposing ourselves to different points of view we grow and expand our perspectives! I moved from the far left to somewhat closer to the middle overtime through exploring other viewpoints, etc.
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Yeah. Education is key. Reading broadly is also key.
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