Monday; August 26

Not long ago I was looking at a picture of the Fab Four and it took me back in time. In all honesty, the Beatles were not (necessarily) the voice of my teen years, but I was quite aware of their music and their influence. Being a youngster in the 1960s made you keenly aware of the boys from Liverpool. In addition to knowing their music, you were also aware of the discussions of their style. From their haircuts (or lack thereof) and their lifestyle they were the center of attention and focus of a lot of derision – especially from the older generation. Interestingly, looking back on it them now, they seem rather well groomed and well-behaved young men.

As I thought back on the influences of that era I wonder if all the dissention was worth the effort. Did the influences deemed detrimental really negatively influence people or was it just a difference in tastes? Now, as I look at it from a much different perspective – being the old guy – it does bring new meaning to picking your battles. Yes, I believe there are truly bad influences that need to be confronted, but how many more that are labeled negative influences are more differences in likes than moral and spiritual nemeses? I am all about being able to express our tastes, but when those discussions take into account preferences rather than principles we are probably better off saving our emotional investments for things that really matter.

Let’s analyze the importance we place on differences. When they matter let’s have those heart-to-heart discussions but when they don’t let’s chalk it up to matters of opinion.

Think About It!

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