Notes From The Awareness: 191

For the most part, we are friends with those who think like us.

Please discuss. How does this play out in life?

I’ll start us out. We’re attracted to and want to make friends with folks who make us feel good. Being personally validated fills a deep need for us. This is especially true when others share our beliefs and opinions. We reason that if other intelligent people—they must be intelligent if they understand and appreciate us—think as we do, we must be correct. This positive feedback loop results in a social network of individuals who reinforce each others’ beliefs.

Today’s message reminds me to be willing to befriend those who hold differing opinions If my thoughts are well reasoned and my beliefs are supported by my essential values, I have no need of outside validation. Being with people who disagree with me is no threat if our discourse is mutually respectful. I don’t need to correct others’ thinking either. If my beliefs are true, my personal conduct is the best argument in support of them.

How about you? Are you friends with folks of differing beliefs, and if so, how do you handle disagreements?