Our prejudice

Forgive this short entry, but today is the village fete and yesterday afternoon I gave a hand for only an hour and a half and its done me in.

This week I've been called a troublemaker, a man with integrity, a hypocrite, somebody who inspired half the village to bond. Being a strong personality, I'm used to controversy, but this is quite something. We are each some of these things at some time or the other and the trick is not to let it get to you, for, generally, people see in you what they are conditioned to see, unless they are broad, adaptable and clear headed enough to rise above their own prejudice.

When I find myself under attack, I try to see what the other person perceives and it helps me understand the wider situation. The one who called me a hypocrite has different values which give him purpose and though he dislikes me intensely, I bear no grudge and admire him for what he stands for. Those who called me a trouble maker have values which are at odds to mine, but that's OK too. To think others ought to comply with your views or lifestyle is evidence of a dictatorial mindset, in contrast, flexibility is the hallmark of reason, communality, empathy, and dare I suggest it, an open intelligence.

I must stop, there's things to do. I'll write more in a day or two when I'm not so tired.