I did not write what is to follow, but I had to share it. It is worth the read:

Another vent note….

This week I have dealt with three very difficult people, each in a unique situation, but all three the same, closed-minded and short-sighted, i.e., dangerous…. When you see someone you care about walking down a path that could harm them or others the natural reaction is to try to stop them, but what if you can’t? Often times this is the case because these people do not wish to see the facts or fail to see logic, and unfortunately they are the majority. It’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing the world only from your perspective of what’s right or wrong, it feels safe, secure, and it makes the world seem less complicated, but it’s a lie. A lie that can harm the innocent, it can destroy lives, and it can create conflict. It is the ultimate form of selfishness because you are placing yourself above others.

“If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one was ever truly harmed. It is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance who is harmed.”
― Marcus Aurelius

This is my rant about this obscenely large group of people. I know I can’t do anything to change it, but it is really hard for me to watch it, and if I could I would separate myself and my family from all of it, but it’s everywhere. It’s a helpless feeling…having no real control over your life, and none of us do. We are all victims to the actions or inactions of others in some form…none of us are in control and if you think that you are the exception then you are part of the problem, none of us have control. What makes it terrifying is not only are we victims to the decisions of others, those decisions are often not very thought out….

“The most fatal illusion is the settled point of view. Since life is growth and motion, a fixed point of view kills anybody who has one.”
― Brooks Atkinson

There is no arguing with people like this, which makes it even more tragic. You could have certifiable proof and it would not matter to them. They value their opinion over fact, or logic, and that is not rational behavior. They love to deal in absolutes such as “always,” or “never,” when neither of these concepts exist in reality. They see the world as black or white, but these purities do not exist in the human world, everything is simply different shades of gray. Instead of planning ahead, they live in the moment; a view romanticized in this day in age, but it’s dangerous.

“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
― Benjamin Franklin

A simple example of this most of us can relate to, an intersection. Ever seen a dangerous 4-way or 2-way stop, and wonder, “why don’t they put a traffic light here, someone is going to get killed?” But, nothing ever happens. It remains the same for years and years, ample time to do something about it, but nothing. Until one day you hear about a person or family getting killed at that intersection then about a month later, as if by magic, traffic light has appeared…. Still the damage has been done—a life or lives have been lost, all due to lack of foresight. If foresight would have been used they would still be alive.

“If you have the power to prevent a tragedy but do nothing, you are equally held to the same guilt as the one who committed the act.”
— Michael Halding

Is it possible to predict every outcome, no it’s not, but it is important that we prepare for real logical possibilities and we leave our minds open for those possibilities. We must keep our minds open because someone else might be able to see something we can’t, something if action is taken could save a life. However, due to pride most people do not do this and to those people I ask, is your pride worth someone’s life? Must someone pay with their life for you to see reality? To me, it doesn’t make sense, it’s a waste, it’s selfish, arrogant, and immoral.

If you are one of these people…you are the problem, and you are the source of pain in this world.

/endvent