A Lesson for the Young

During my 20 years in the military followed by 22 years in the civilian Defense Industry, I have been a mentor, trainer, instructor, and supervisor. During those 42 years, I have learned how to size up and judge people by many things, including race, gender, ethnicity, education level, language, etc. However, I have also learned that in order to fulfill my job of mentoring, training, instructing, or supervising, I should never ever do one thing: make a person feel like they cannot learn something new. Or put simply, feel bad.

Feelings are powerful and override everything we do. No one is immune from the most basic of human emotions. I had to remember that I was not, nor ever would be, a “teacher”. A teacher and its glorified alternate “professor” attempt to influence or persuade their students to adopt their certain points of view, usually against or versus the status quo. But I digress.

As a young man, I was like any other kid, a liberal-minded individual determined to not let anyone tell me what to do, say, or feel. But when my daughter was born, I became more and more conservative in my thinking because I wanted a sane world for her to grow up in. For example, I started to value security, stability, and tradition more than freedom, diversity, and social control over others.

Just because we feel the need to voice our concerns as we see fit does not mean we should. Arguing correlation vs causation or not critically thinking diminishes the argument and shuts down discussion. Telling people that they are not critically thinking just reinforces their emotions of bias and hate.

An atheist will never convince a deist there is no proof of a supernatural entity watching over human affairs. As we age and experience more of life, our perspectives and attitudes will change. Too bad I will long have passed before you and I will be of the same mind. Keep growing, and listen more, talk less.