Daily Om - Conscious Decisions

[Shpongled]

July 6, 2009
Conscious Decisions
Going Against What Is Popular

Just because an idea or way of doing things is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. However, part of the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don’t take the time to determine what’s right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing. In this way, our decisions about life are made by default, which means they aren’t what we call conscious decisions. There may be many other options available, but we don’t always take the time to explore them. This may be the result of feeling overwhelmed or pressured by family, peers, and humanity at large, to do things their way, the way things have always been done. Regardless of the cause, it is important that, as often as we can, we decide for ourselves what to do with our lives rather than just drift along on the current of popular opinion.

It is not always easy to make decisions that go against the grain. Many people feel threatened when those close to them make choices divergent from the ones they are making. Parents and grandparents may be confused and defensive when we choose to raise our children differently from the way they raised us. Friends may feel abandoned if we decide to change our habits or behavior. Meanwhile, on our side of the fence, it’s easy to feel frustrated and defensive when we feel unsupported and misunderstood simply because we are thinking for ourselves. It can be exhausting to have to explain and re-explain our points of view and our reasons.

This is where gentleness, openness, and tolerance come into play. It helps if we are calmly persistent, consistent, and clear as we communicate to those around us why we are making the choices we are making. At the same time, we have the right to say that we are tired of talking about it and simply need our choices to be respected. Our lives belong to us and so do our decisions. Those who truly love us will stand by us and support our choices, never mind what’s popular.

 

[DarkNoise]

reminds me of Carlin (RIP) and his topic about coveting goods.

"the way that something becomes popular is that many of us don’t take the time to determine what’s right for us; we simply do what most of the people we know are doing"

do not covet thy neighbors goods, what are we, stupid? your neighbor gets a battery operated vibrator that sings o cum all ye faithful you want one, that's how the economy works.

 

[Altitudes]

Attn: Cyrash3

 

[vikk]

nice copy/paste Kevin!

 

[Craysh3]

But Kevin's talking about people who don't have their own opinion here and encourages to adopt one. I don't see how I don't have an opinion of my own, unless I somehow missed the point of this thought food. My parents hate my hair, and my friends all cut their long hair a long time ago, and not necessarily because they wanted to. I am constantly surrounded by fizzles and quitters. I already mentioned on my thread that quite a few of you people are way too sensitive and serious for your own good.

 

[Shpongled]

Seriously dude, I think it's you who's too sensitive on this topic. You're making way too big a deal out of hair length. Look, if someone wants something, anything, they can get it. Hair doesn't need to be a deal breaker. And if acquiring something requires short hair, if you want it bad enough, you'll cut your hair. If not, you won't. No big deal. That's just the way the world works.

Basically what I mean is your hair length should play no part in the person you are or your ability to achieve your goals. If you want something bad enough, you go get it. Long hair or not.

edit: also, the way you're segregating people with long hair from people with short hair is ridiculous. I honestly don't know if you're kidding about that or not, that's how ludicrous the entire concept is to me. Would you still think I was so awesome if the next pic I posted featured a freshly shaved scalp?

 

[Chromatose]

I might think you were even more awesome.

 

[Craysh3]

nice one, kissass. Yes, I joke, as I mentioned in my thread, my best buddy cut his hair, and yes he's still the same person, more or less. But for the record, it was everyone else who started the beef after the start of the thread, I'm just being devil's advocate because I feel that I can be. Seriously though, in all fairness, throughout the entire time I've been around here, I haven't seen one long hair appreciation thread, which actually does strike me as odd for a forum of this nature. Again, I don't know how I offended people if I did at all, but I'm definitely not gonna apologize for being me. I already posted how hair can be just as serious of a subject as anything else here http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...n-misanthropic-rant-thread-5.html#post8393443, so to hell with it already. I'm dropping the subject. Let's get on with our dreary lives and talk about something that everyone around here can agree on; The benefits of rape.

 

[Det Som Engang Var]

Thanks Kevin I've been waiting for a new one.

 

[Battle.Angel]

Would you still think I was so awesome if the next pic I posted featured a freshly shaved scalp?

Of course, not! Who do you think you are, Kevin!? You think, you can do what you want or what?

 

[derek]

nice one, kissass. Yes, I joke, as I mentioned in my thread, my best buddy cut his hair, and yes he's still the same person, more or less. But for the record, it was everyone else who started the beef after the start of the thread, I'm just being devil's advocate because I feel that I can be. Seriously though, in all fairness, throughout the entire time I've been around here, I haven't seen one long hair appreciation thread, which actually does strike me as odd for a forum of this nature. Again, I don't know how I offended people if I did at all, but I'm definitely not gonna apologize for being me. I already posted how hair can be just as serious of a subject as anything else here http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/...n-misanthropic-rant-thread-5.html#post8393443, so to hell with it already. I'm dropping the subject. Let's get on with our dreary lives and talk about something that everyone around here can agree on; The benefits of rape.

Cut the crap you monotonous bore.

Relax and little and all will be well.