Infinite Value (taken from Cat Train Feet Brain - Issue 4, April 2010, p.50)
Life is not a closed subject,
Talk about it,
Other people are also alive,
They have points of latitude and longitude,
Thick black texta,
Words on the matter and matter their own,
People have infinite value,
Are worth far more than you allow.
I have a friend who writes a great e-zine that I love to receive as it always challenges my thinking. Recently I came across the poem posted above and it got me thinking about how little many of us value the rich diversity that is around us, and how there are many subjects that we choose to ignore or questions that we are too afraid to ask. Sometimes we get so caught up in our own way of thinking because we foolishly believe that we are the only ones who have an opinion that matters, or that we are right on a particular subject and therefore everyone else is wrong.
I believe that by being closed minded, we ultimately rob ourselves of the wealth of knowledge that is out there. I understand that there are some questions that are controversial, but why shouldn't we ask them without getting into a heated debate? Instead of being so dogmatic about our own beliefs, let's open ourselves up to the possibility that we could be wrong or that there is more knowledge to acquire on the subject. If we disagree, why can't we thank people for sharing their thoughts and opinions (something very personal to them) instead of trying to persuade them that they are wrong? Why can't we accept that maybe there isn't any right or wrong answer since life has dealt us all different experiences? Why do we often avoid people who don't think like "us"?
I reckon that one of the best ways that we can show people that we care is by taking the time to listen to their thoughts on the world around them. Of course, we are benefitted more as at the same time we are learning about the world around us.
