A woman is standing in line for something that she has
desired but the longer she stands, the realization of how long her line is
begins to drain her. Look! The line over there is shorter! Does is matter that the line leads somewhere
else?
A man selects a book to read and is quite involved, having
read half of its contents already. But
wait! There is a book that has a nicer
cover, or that one which is shorter!
Should he set his book down to go for another when it seems that it may
be more interesting?
But the woman remained in her line! She’s not budging from her original desire. Surely she must feel like her line is better
than the others! How dare she stay in
one place? Does she think less of us in
our other lines or even disgust for those that move often?
Look! The man kept
his book! But there are so many others
to choose from, some that are easier to read, shorter, more colorful,
inviting. Could he really believe that
his book is superior to all the others? What
arrogance!
Or could it merely be that these individuals simply have
their own stance? Does the act of having
an opinion that doesn’t engulf all others mean that the person is close
minded? Or does that make them firm in
belief?
When has standing for something shifted to kicking others
down?
If I own one type of vehicle does it indicate that I abhor
all others that aren’t mine? No. It simply means I prefer mine. I may share satisfaction with my choice of
transportation but does that suggest I wish for all other vehicles to cease?
I’m saddened at the present understanding that to hold a
definitive, albeit unwavering, opinion is synonymous with narrow
mindedness. Is that not a stance as
well? When did the only acceptable
opinion become one that is not really an opinion at all but a sponge that takes
everything in, even the unwanted?
When one doesn’t stand for something, he shall fall for
anything. Why are we condemning those
who stand firm? Someday we may need them
to pull us ashore when we’re lost in the waves and cannot find our footing. And in the sea of constant change should we
not respect those who manage to stand strong against the raging waves?
