I've always looked at Yoda as the old wise-man from the films I saw as a kid. As I have grown older I realized that there is some truth to the statements that were made in George Lucas' films of Intergalactic War and Religious beliefs. There are many ways to interpret what is being said. Though many would want you to read the bible or listen the theological views about what is actually being said, I've learned that not everything that people study is interpreted the same way.
We all see things the way we want to see them and that doesn't mean we are wrong or evil for seeing it that way. Though choosing to think that your version is the only truth and persecute anyone else who thinks differently is the wrong way. No one ever thinks the same way as anyone else. Some may believe in the same thing but the way they interpret it and act on it will differ dramatically. Some may not even believe what they are told because they feel they need to learn it in their own way, or find the truth behind it.
I think it's one of the truest form of Free Will. Even when we are told something that is absolutely true, we still want to search for more to find out if it really is true. I have been Catholic since I was baptized as a baby. Throughout my time with the religion I have had encounters with other people and religious orders that don't believe the exact same thing I do. Many in my own church don't believe in the teachings of Catholicism the same way I do. I don't think they are wrong or misinterpreting it. I honestly think they are just as right as I am. But what I do have a problem is when they try and force their beliefs on someone else.
Religion and faith are just as much a choice of turning left or right on a road. You can believe in something and follow the path that is set before you, but no one says you have to believe it the same as everyone else. You have a choice in how you act and interpret what your religion teaches. Now some might say I'm talking Heresy, but that is their opinion. I can think and believe in whatever I want and that is mine to choose. No one can make me believe in something. I can even say I believe in something that someone tells me to believe and not actually believe it. I'm not saying that I do, but I have the choice to do so.
In a manner of speaking Yoda points this out in his statement in the film "The Empire Strikes Back" of "No, Try Not. Do or Do Not, There is no Try". This can be interpreted as many things. But one is that don't do something unless you believe you can. This is then solidified when Yoda lifts the ship when Luke couldn't. Luke then approaches Yoda saying..." I don't....I don't believe it." Yoda responds with, "That is why you fail." When looking at it from a view of choice, Luke choose not to completely believe that he could lift the ship. He gave into his fear of failing in the task, which was the result. If you choose to believe in something, you need to go in to that believe with commitment. Otherwise you won't find what you're looking for.
You can see aspects of this in every day life. If you want to do something but you don't go into it with all your ability, you probably won't get the satisfaction that you thought you would. From as simple as putting a model together, or playing a video game, to planning a wedding , a charity event or your professional career. You can't just put in the bare-minimum effort and expect it to work out exactly as you want. You have to commit yourself into that task till it is completed. Only by placing yourself all the way forward behind what you want, will you succeed. It comes down to making the choice of "Do or Do Not".
In another way, you can look at Yoda's view of "Fear leads to Anger, Anger Leads to Hate, Hate leads to Suffering." as a statement of religious views. Many people don't believe in what other people believe in. Because of this fear and resentment can form for other religions because people are content with what is being taught about life. Because of this fear and doubt that ones religions isn't giving them the satisfaction that another's religion is can lead to anger that they are being cheated or that everything they believe in is false. This aspect can fester and people begin to show aggression against those people that believe differently then them. They can think, 'Why are they so content? Why don't I feel that content with what I have been taught? Why is it so easy for them?' This can then manifest as Hatred for the religion and the people who follow it. Hatred can spread to others and fighting can start both in words and in physical violence. Finally becoming suffering on both sides. Both sides give into the fear, anger, and hatred of the other religious beliefs and they all suffer because of it.
Once again there is always a choice in how you feel about things. If you choose to fear something because it is different or isn't how you see it should be, then you can't see everything about it. Don't instantly judge something without taking a good look at it, especially when dealing with interpreting what someone says and what someone believes. You have a choice to see things as they are and not as someone else sees them. Instead of following the crowd in what they see, look at it yourself and try to see what it actually is. Curiosity has always been one of the strongest drives for human beings. Discovery of new and different things is the corner stone of our society. We choose to go out and explore what is the world around us and find out for ourselves what is going on. You can listen to what other people say, but that doesn't mean you have to believe it. You have that choice.
Just like what I'm saying in this blog. It is just my opinion. I'm not saying I'm right and you have to believe what I say. I could be wrong and mis-interpreting all of it. But that is your choice, just as mine was to post this online for everyone to see and get the opinions of them. I'm not giving into the fear of rejection and criticism. I'm embracing it for the benefit of learning and experiencing life.
Lead Well, but Yoda was Wrong | Richard Burkey:
'via Blog this'
Yoda's Wisdom for Your Walk
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fear. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
A Stand Against "Bully"ing.
I was bullied through all of Grammer school, Junior High and High School.
It effects your whole life.
It never leaves you.
The scars are permanent.
Never healing, always hurting.
It MUST STOP!
http://action.thebullyproject.com/takeastand
I finished watch the new independent film "Bully". It brought a whole lot of old scars to the surface. There isn't a day goes by, that I don't remember a time in my life when I was bullied. I don't try to remember those moments. They just spring into my head. I try to shake them out. But they sit there, reminding me of what I learned that particular day. People will do anything to make themselves feel bigger/better then you.
Parents don't always know when their kids are being bullied. This is because the kids are embarrassed to tell their parents. The parents that do know the kids being bullied will address the school to do something about it. The school then takes the bully aside and punishes them. The punishment will consist of a lecture, contact the parents, and a warning. The bully retaliates by not only bullying the kid again, but worse for getting them in trouble. The kid then reports it and the punishment stiffens. On a social standing, the kid who was bullied will then be ostracized by his classmates for telling on the bully. This then leads to additional ridicule and belittlement.
Now the kids who don't tell on the bully and suffer in silence, these are usually the ones that take it for so long that they finally blow up in rage against the bully or someone who finally pushes them too far. This will usually end up with the kid being bullied to end up being disciplined for standing up for himself. The other result rather then blowing up at someone is them internally giving up. This can lead to destructive behavior on themselves; isolation, cutting, mental disorders, depression, and suicide.
In many ways, bullying is the result of prejudice and bigotry as much as simply wanting to blame someone for problems at home. At the ages of 5-19, kids are just learning who they are in the world and are open to multiple influences and ideas. There are conflicting issues from home and the world around them. They try to stand behind something because they want to be part of something that others are part of and want to be accepted. Many times they don't even realize that what they are doing is wrong, because no one told them it was or it was acceptable behavior at home. When they are confronted they either respond as they would at home or they accept that they need to change.
This is not always as simple as I have stated. Teachers must deal with this on a daily basis. Parents are not their to see what is going on and many times are completely blind until they hear it from their kids or from the school.
This is also not always received in a constructive way. Parents will lash out at the school or a the other parents and it doesn't solve the problem but makes it worse. Violence can issue and you end up with police involvement and negative controversy tarnishing the schools and making it difficult for them to function or control the resulting back-lash.
In the end, almost nothing is done to curb bullying. Yes, some schools have policies against it, but that doesn't mean that all schools do. The sad thing is that the teachers don't want to allow this to happen. They don't want to see the kids being bullied or treated this way. But what can they do? If they discipline the kid and hold them accountable, the parents of the bully then make a case against the school because the bully will deny that they did anything. The worst is that because of the steady decline of our school systems and the lack of ability for the teachers to keep discipline in the classroom, bullying is allowed to run, unchecked! How are your kids going to be protected if the schools don't have the resources to protect them.
If the bullying problem is ever going to be rectified, Teachers need to be able to discipline the kids in the classroom. The punishments for misbehavior and harassment or bullying need to be more strict and unmovable.
When the schools are given the funds and means to hold those responsible for bullying, as well as curb it before it starts, only then will it truly end. But until the schools get the support they so desperately need, bullying will never stop and more kids will go through life feeling like that are worthless. If they are the ones lucky enough to not commit suicide.
It effects your whole life.
It never leaves you.
The scars are permanent.
Never healing, always hurting.
It MUST STOP!
http://action.thebullyproject.com/takeastand
I finished watch the new independent film "Bully". It brought a whole lot of old scars to the surface. There isn't a day goes by, that I don't remember a time in my life when I was bullied. I don't try to remember those moments. They just spring into my head. I try to shake them out. But they sit there, reminding me of what I learned that particular day. People will do anything to make themselves feel bigger/better then you.
Parents don't always know when their kids are being bullied. This is because the kids are embarrassed to tell their parents. The parents that do know the kids being bullied will address the school to do something about it. The school then takes the bully aside and punishes them. The punishment will consist of a lecture, contact the parents, and a warning. The bully retaliates by not only bullying the kid again, but worse for getting them in trouble. The kid then reports it and the punishment stiffens. On a social standing, the kid who was bullied will then be ostracized by his classmates for telling on the bully. This then leads to additional ridicule and belittlement.
Now the kids who don't tell on the bully and suffer in silence, these are usually the ones that take it for so long that they finally blow up in rage against the bully or someone who finally pushes them too far. This will usually end up with the kid being bullied to end up being disciplined for standing up for himself. The other result rather then blowing up at someone is them internally giving up. This can lead to destructive behavior on themselves; isolation, cutting, mental disorders, depression, and suicide.
In many ways, bullying is the result of prejudice and bigotry as much as simply wanting to blame someone for problems at home. At the ages of 5-19, kids are just learning who they are in the world and are open to multiple influences and ideas. There are conflicting issues from home and the world around them. They try to stand behind something because they want to be part of something that others are part of and want to be accepted. Many times they don't even realize that what they are doing is wrong, because no one told them it was or it was acceptable behavior at home. When they are confronted they either respond as they would at home or they accept that they need to change.
This is not always as simple as I have stated. Teachers must deal with this on a daily basis. Parents are not their to see what is going on and many times are completely blind until they hear it from their kids or from the school.
This is also not always received in a constructive way. Parents will lash out at the school or a the other parents and it doesn't solve the problem but makes it worse. Violence can issue and you end up with police involvement and negative controversy tarnishing the schools and making it difficult for them to function or control the resulting back-lash.
In the end, almost nothing is done to curb bullying. Yes, some schools have policies against it, but that doesn't mean that all schools do. The sad thing is that the teachers don't want to allow this to happen. They don't want to see the kids being bullied or treated this way. But what can they do? If they discipline the kid and hold them accountable, the parents of the bully then make a case against the school because the bully will deny that they did anything. The worst is that because of the steady decline of our school systems and the lack of ability for the teachers to keep discipline in the classroom, bullying is allowed to run, unchecked! How are your kids going to be protected if the schools don't have the resources to protect them.
If the bullying problem is ever going to be rectified, Teachers need to be able to discipline the kids in the classroom. The punishments for misbehavior and harassment or bullying need to be more strict and unmovable.
When the schools are given the funds and means to hold those responsible for bullying, as well as curb it before it starts, only then will it truly end. But until the schools get the support they so desperately need, bullying will never stop and more kids will go through life feeling like that are worthless. If they are the ones lucky enough to not commit suicide.
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