Terms are so misinterpreted. I’m fascinated with the origin (or etymology) of words.
To be called idealistic these days implies you’re naive or simplistic but if you actually look at the word without the vulgar connotation, it means to follow an ideal.
What is the ideal for society? Well, of course, it’s to live in peace and harmony and love and to our secular ears, that can sound so saccharin and flowery.
Truth is though, most don’t want freedom, they want fight, just observe their behaviour.
There is also the point that most have massive FOMO. They do not want to commit to expressing ideals that will put them out of the pack.
In order to have peace, you must renounce the ego and this reveals a great truth – most don’t want to be happy, they want to be right and I include myself in this.
Many have said “Martin, you’re so intelligent.” but I don’t place intelligence as the highest trait. No, I’m training myself to be more humble – particularly when it comes to dealing with people.
You have your wants, needs and beliefs. Believe me, so do I! And often I believe I am right when others are wrong. It’s rude and it’s impatient and it’s narrow minded.
It’s very possible that a lot of this comes from people being afraid to say “I don’t know.”
I’ve pondered the “I don’t know”-mind paradigm, and it has a lot going for it. Think about it, every conversation can be fresh if you admit you might not know. You can go into the discussion calmly and you won’t be in a rush or panicked or simply trying to prove you’re right. It removes unnecessary friction and lay the foundation stones for people actually arriving at the truth.
Doesn’t sound too bad, now, does it!
I know now more than ever that not only do I not have all the answers, I hardly have any but, rather than fear it, I’m learning to appreciate it as a great thing.
War appears just global factions trying to prove their point but, always remember, war starts in everybody’s heads, including yours and including mine.
The ideal? Go in Fresh!